tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12420691137765116502024-02-07T22:26:24.811+09:00Blessed and Cursed and WonMy life has been extraordinary...Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-1295932301222520592009-12-29T17:16:00.004+09:002009-12-29T17:19:42.981+09:00We've moved!In an effort to streamline the blogging process, <a href="http://blessedandcursedandwon.wordpress.com/">we can now be found here.</a><br /><br />This in no way guarantees that updates will be more frequent, but it will be easier (and FTR, I like WP's commenting options a lot more).<br /><br />I'll be taking this blog down in about a week, so please update your reader or bookmark.<br /><br />See you there!Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-52001522929332743202009-11-26T22:33:00.021+09:002009-11-26T23:21:34.548+09:00OYD Cooks!Carb Fest '09!*<br /><br />This has been our first Thanksgiving on our own, and since our living arrangements have put us in a much smaller space, it has also been our smallest endeavor to date. We didn't want to do a big production this year as we have the last couple, because with The Guy's work schedule I just don't have the energy to do it all alone. We had just us and our friend, Mazetov Cocktail, from our annual <a href="http://blessedandcursedandwon.blogspot.com/2008/12/scenes-from-winter-holiday.html">Jewstravaganza</a>, and it turned out to be just the right size.<br /><br />We have a ton to be thankful for. We have a wonderful family, and a great home. We have been incredibly blessed with the opportunity to live in a foreign country where we get to observe and experience a different culture. We have amazing friends, in both Meat World and Bloglandia who have held us up through so much. Basically we are surrounded by love and awesomeness every day, and that is incredible. I pause a moment to the Goddess and thank her for all we are blessed with as we prepare our meal every year, and it was extra special because I was able to share that with The Kid this year, since she was a big help in the preparing process.<br /><br />Dinner this year was <a href="http://blessedandcursedandwon.blogspot.com/2008/11/oyd-cooks.html">so much more simple than in the past.</a> There was no need to do three turkeys and I don't think we will be eating leftovers for every meal for days to come. Oh, and it was also the perfect size for Mario Party. W00t!<br /><br />I did start with some of Grammy's Pumpkin Cookies, something that has been part of my holiday experience since I can remember, but they didn't last the day between the Kid's school and home and friends popping in. I can't keep them in the house!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUfjO3ZsGWOpp9kLEe0nxGA-RJ6e0UYAUW8dHQRw-MQDnV-3mYHeH9WiGnAPqV8Qc4uBV2J4SnNOH0mNFdJRKzfPtuVlS2lFTYKWn5jA_s2YvmQNHL5c4mBSJwel8pVgslFxfS64fwMY/s1600/DSCN4703.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUfjO3ZsGWOpp9kLEe0nxGA-RJ6e0UYAUW8dHQRw-MQDnV-3mYHeH9WiGnAPqV8Qc4uBV2J4SnNOH0mNFdJRKzfPtuVlS2lFTYKWn5jA_s2YvmQNHL5c4mBSJwel8pVgslFxfS64fwMY/s320/DSCN4703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408408856677038850" border="0" /></a>OM NOM NOM!<br /><br />I discovered that our refrigerator is too cold for thawing, and even when I thought that I could thaw the turkey the way you are supposed to, I wound up right back where we always are, with the turkey taking a bath during the day, but this time in our spa bathtub, and I thought the jets would help things along:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdDTYztipUJdLnKs8Tn3CYm0vDKmJZRsC0orQySCsfXYIh-u1DgJzlbxweWdB2oWBsov2r_5SsWQ30I-emlyipaZwjOB_VjlEaVqLVJ_HxQbMW1s5wp3T1GVn70bq7FAYQuJHq9MTKTA/s1600/DSCN4710.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdDTYztipUJdLnKs8Tn3CYm0vDKmJZRsC0orQySCsfXYIh-u1DgJzlbxweWdB2oWBsov2r_5SsWQ30I-emlyipaZwjOB_VjlEaVqLVJ_HxQbMW1s5wp3T1GVn70bq7FAYQuJHq9MTKTA/s320/DSCN4710.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408409994192842370" border="0" /></a>I admit to being a bit jealous that the turkey got to relax in the spa...<br /><br />Fortunately this year we knew we didn't need a lot, so we only bought two turkey breasts, so they thawed quickly.<br /><br />Have I mentioned how great household child labor is? I am a malevolent Matriarch!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorjI0u2XEcLO-hTaOHQ33jyWUNKsyuWivCv9syTtm8gk6AV3s6gJwqc8hnKHKzIXqksVgXbfWFISzvBE_UQNJHN-2j-ZuR7lb2i0ca02VvODzltPOZ2eRK4Zh1MT9qHTTxyB_oyrNTPk/s1600/DSCN4721.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorjI0u2XEcLO-hTaOHQ33jyWUNKsyuWivCv9syTtm8gk6AV3s6gJwqc8hnKHKzIXqksVgXbfWFISzvBE_UQNJHN-2j-ZuR7lb2i0ca02VvODzltPOZ2eRK4Zh1MT9qHTTxyB_oyrNTPk/s320/DSCN4721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408410549603645138" border="0" /></a>Peel those potatoes! Go! Gotta teach her the ways of the Patriarchy early! *snerk*<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNS0tJ5adXUXJyrERgLm_fq2WpA0jYiPEQNhYkI1JJksFH6inC4_dE_ieVrmjEEd8qtJX46oRdIjymYKVhfpOa9UaIMo2pmntPCmifg-GveCzuaxF70HduGkQEWYy3vp1x2pqjWfMJRC4/s1600/DSCN4728.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNS0tJ5adXUXJyrERgLm_fq2WpA0jYiPEQNhYkI1JJksFH6inC4_dE_ieVrmjEEd8qtJX46oRdIjymYKVhfpOa9UaIMo2pmntPCmifg-GveCzuaxF70HduGkQEWYy3vp1x2pqjWfMJRC4/s320/DSCN4728.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408411045764665330" border="0" /></a>Wash those dishes! I can has clean measuring cups so can makes teh Thanksgivings!<br /><br />Kid made the green bean casserole all by herself this year, something she was very excited about. It is a great first recipe to let them try ... it's right there on the can and so hard to mess up!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX98CXBKsSQGwDCYuk7iwOKvZoSkGsR4NlVVmwpX8SkJOjD9XlFodeKes0p8p4NWXsOufOmnl-TEYo7q-isIaY-yZ0m0RXgvBFFGzTU0GDQTweul2JUghhLG180uWnY__55GPoY5b5ZsE/s1600/DSCN4729.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX98CXBKsSQGwDCYuk7iwOKvZoSkGsR4NlVVmwpX8SkJOjD9XlFodeKes0p8p4NWXsOufOmnl-TEYo7q-isIaY-yZ0m0RXgvBFFGzTU0GDQTweul2JUghhLG180uWnY__55GPoY5b5ZsE/s320/DSCN4729.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408411601342698194" border="0" /></a><br />But that is not how you start! LOL!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTEcbjw3wKSreK7kpBayxZHSqp419tl7obsSrmuRgsDBCr1hUp1zC6vYbLpPGACVnqMlWDqgYbI8cWodG-4FeAqUZMGymxWLCMRRYDn4ZCdLdgdh3RkfUebnXYw06hdQHsVYVnwZm4nM/s1600/DSCN4731.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTEcbjw3wKSreK7kpBayxZHSqp419tl7obsSrmuRgsDBCr1hUp1zC6vYbLpPGACVnqMlWDqgYbI8cWodG-4FeAqUZMGymxWLCMRRYDn4ZCdLdgdh3RkfUebnXYw06hdQHsVYVnwZm4nM/s320/DSCN4731.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408411933592544882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCPmzvvIWbuMcg31dvXyNdMUfxsXZ4_7Vn0snV2cDEE9ibD-eGfXmbQFUGPyiBYdF78P4gqMaPOEBTSDQOdgax2N8BZNJ2llfIZF9lngNWCrtRUfbpIdfBSZupdu9ltGbE_RizDt-zgY/s1600/DSCN4732.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCPmzvvIWbuMcg31dvXyNdMUfxsXZ4_7Vn0snV2cDEE9ibD-eGfXmbQFUGPyiBYdF78P4gqMaPOEBTSDQOdgax2N8BZNJ2llfIZF9lngNWCrtRUfbpIdfBSZupdu9ltGbE_RizDt-zgY/s320/DSCN4732.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408412175249473218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTzKcXZEsz5vncO4Ioy7x52o8VUteFLHpEqLoMDeO0qfIfl6QL-S-RlNan-agdMWSsbSpwbnL7lwPqb0OlPUD1E9XtZX3ccburgoilxaRT4HYvsfShX2zwW1YgpnkpwWGMHPN1zpJn0M/s1600/DSCN4735.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTzKcXZEsz5vncO4Ioy7x52o8VUteFLHpEqLoMDeO0qfIfl6QL-S-RlNan-agdMWSsbSpwbnL7lwPqb0OlPUD1E9XtZX3ccburgoilxaRT4HYvsfShX2zwW1YgpnkpwWGMHPN1zpJn0M/s320/DSCN4735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408412424888261634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSE1ebowbMEDl1PgrNqvxU8QUYtg9UhZTv2M1vYWNEr2eCF3339gOEU0MZUFXdq31eJf-lnRQNCoQNE4IS358xOdxdGVwYWDOWKhenMtjlyhRzWoFkzDR5e4WnvQz62-WY-fzLl3Pcl6k/s1600/DSCN4736.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSE1ebowbMEDl1PgrNqvxU8QUYtg9UhZTv2M1vYWNEr2eCF3339gOEU0MZUFXdq31eJf-lnRQNCoQNE4IS358xOdxdGVwYWDOWKhenMtjlyhRzWoFkzDR5e4WnvQz62-WY-fzLl3Pcl6k/s320/DSCN4736.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408412718025440242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDyyuBw5SJf8zUCE5fomn7sPvKxB2y5kqKEBhowMP0ofOG65vY5_TbpSV0aedQb7BoqFF9kaltnRL9q8Z-899cM2FAGctYQcuINg5Ajd5Tz4rsV0z1b3vCa4oLW3tHEoZuGxA6TBTyww/s1600/DSCN4747.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDyyuBw5SJf8zUCE5fomn7sPvKxB2y5kqKEBhowMP0ofOG65vY5_TbpSV0aedQb7BoqFF9kaltnRL9q8Z-899cM2FAGctYQcuINg5Ajd5Tz4rsV0z1b3vCa4oLW3tHEoZuGxA6TBTyww/s320/DSCN4747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408413020148565298" border="0" /></a><br />She did the whole thing from beginning to end and it was perfect. She was very proud, and made sure to fish a compliment on it out of everyone who ate it. Heh. Guess she's modest too!<br /><br />Kid also helped with the peanut butter pies (yes, Anna! Peanut butter pie! They are not dangerous!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_KlAqhVAavPuZDhnqDirKZs5_Z4DJC4C5S2Ic99jJO64Z5SaHo-ioyfxqADVz7ZYHKtt9CiIGqHfOiHv-8bg_87eNHLO8aOfiZEyMbpTS1ttSVpjVvGBlrr-y2lRq4BU709N65gpXxg/s1600/DSCN4727.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_KlAqhVAavPuZDhnqDirKZs5_Z4DJC4C5S2Ic99jJO64Z5SaHo-ioyfxqADVz7ZYHKtt9CiIGqHfOiHv-8bg_87eNHLO8aOfiZEyMbpTS1ttSVpjVvGBlrr-y2lRq4BU709N65gpXxg/s320/DSCN4727.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408413865606252162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VbNldG_iQ-O_Y-j6XRKvdJnEyymiPy-Ce6rg1sf60zU4YC9VYV11iXJeqsZ-WEj3A9lziOraBM73vTgx7niGuwqfMAJfhcvVbDvTPWXPfFFIyWnTiPjjRodE6u5NGtrZ2wiC8tnAzZg/s1600/DSCN4738.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VbNldG_iQ-O_Y-j6XRKvdJnEyymiPy-Ce6rg1sf60zU4YC9VYV11iXJeqsZ-WEj3A9lziOraBM73vTgx7niGuwqfMAJfhcvVbDvTPWXPfFFIyWnTiPjjRodE6u5NGtrZ2wiC8tnAzZg/s320/DSCN4738.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408414102226180226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLmGMaSH7ES7sG16bwhGQzR0amfmOCI5O5zImT76HFS6WTQOC_kIJlRbvALPShaFawNUETHl0PSBzXEBsHoNdraE7POPW_PglLPd5tjM9qpWlarkjOyyLf5J25TDhMJ7PeSBaajhmKHA/s1600/DSCN4739.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLmGMaSH7ES7sG16bwhGQzR0amfmOCI5O5zImT76HFS6WTQOC_kIJlRbvALPShaFawNUETHl0PSBzXEBsHoNdraE7POPW_PglLPd5tjM9qpWlarkjOyyLf5J25TDhMJ7PeSBaajhmKHA/s320/DSCN4739.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408414293636922034" border="0" /></a><br />I swear I do not know how that happened. ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOZ5QhIyHNETCz-FV5Nn_cO0wgeYf-ue1LalkUZGvpxWtyGH2T3RQoLa-RR3sxXQWZZlRZQS2eUvxk_mqymAx0Rnw7XzPK0LqettoKHg-_khQLYs67mwoIWNWoFwEtzxXuG-teunUUe4/s1600/DSCN4740.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOZ5QhIyHNETCz-FV5Nn_cO0wgeYf-ue1LalkUZGvpxWtyGH2T3RQoLa-RR3sxXQWZZlRZQS2eUvxk_mqymAx0Rnw7XzPK0LqettoKHg-_khQLYs67mwoIWNWoFwEtzxXuG-teunUUe4/s320/DSCN4740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408414587874622770" border="0" /></a><br />I love it when all three of us get into the kitchen together. It really makes things so much more fun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OxFWl5d7tpEfH8RT-MbpG6M-Ha3l8pgwTs7caudsev9OjxO8ft7z1DOj37HGV1gVcYtik73b1cgQsQqRIQRDOassL-dm2g5vNSbSBLs5HB8_WJhtqQ3KyTiDXfpFAyFQ4k0_aBOg_1s/s1600/DSCN4737.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OxFWl5d7tpEfH8RT-MbpG6M-Ha3l8pgwTs7caudsev9OjxO8ft7z1DOj37HGV1gVcYtik73b1cgQsQqRIQRDOassL-dm2g5vNSbSBLs5HB8_WJhtqQ3KyTiDXfpFAyFQ4k0_aBOg_1s/s320/DSCN4737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408415028437105666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAWgtHd47BuCBZFmvlO6gSRbWwBwcKSoB2cDxjqvT5umdX4lSzbOD8_F9gCr6tD_eb1ITC_g1aM9j0xQnqCUhfjr1i3_8M8OE0YfHkl5mBpjKz-zpn5cB8TlbIKuocdIcmNSCU3mJkdA/s1600/DSCN4751.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAWgtHd47BuCBZFmvlO6gSRbWwBwcKSoB2cDxjqvT5umdX4lSzbOD8_F9gCr6tD_eb1ITC_g1aM9j0xQnqCUhfjr1i3_8M8OE0YfHkl5mBpjKz-zpn5cB8TlbIKuocdIcmNSCU3mJkdA/s320/DSCN4751.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408415319200699874" border="0" /></a><br />The turkey breasts were the best idea, and we still had plenty of pan drippings for gravy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioV1SrfiuQXOIhuKdFISHpferfFwLGqzOmmVxxH3jgCxt1duOwqrBloIxU3E754NxcpOh0m1mQaTLj_UFvKW72-LZAYYFS3QpMM4BBVNyS9tscuH0OoLusiO3iBGL7gN33jOZPZiD3FoA/s1600/DSCN4752.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioV1SrfiuQXOIhuKdFISHpferfFwLGqzOmmVxxH3jgCxt1duOwqrBloIxU3E754NxcpOh0m1mQaTLj_UFvKW72-LZAYYFS3QpMM4BBVNyS9tscuH0OoLusiO3iBGL7gN33jOZPZiD3FoA/s320/DSCN4752.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408415606160728114" border="0" /></a>Everything turned out wonderful. And yes, as a matter of fact that is the cranberry jelly, which I crave, and will shamelessly eat from the can! YUM!<br /><br />I hope everyone in the States has a pleasant Thanksgiving.<br /><br />*name from the fabulous Red Queen.Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-52489700818000516092009-10-29T07:42:00.004+09:002009-10-29T08:17:20.701+09:00OYD Cooks!Worm Infested Dirt Cups!<br /><br />NOM!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFCSbp18GqBzh28MN0NUov6hLa23bGVZt72R6U4kXiIABjbCQscPD4HnlHhvm73T8sQmMrQZu5Z9BsdDCON_rAmGenKtzr_XWhXYPQsWIqj6Kmpy-Dx4R41Js0_MZB1pmMv6778ddQF8/s1600-h/DSCN4548.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFCSbp18GqBzh28MN0NUov6hLa23bGVZt72R6U4kXiIABjbCQscPD4HnlHhvm73T8sQmMrQZu5Z9BsdDCON_rAmGenKtzr_XWhXYPQsWIqj6Kmpy-Dx4R41Js0_MZB1pmMv6778ddQF8/s320/DSCN4548.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397785213746272594" border="0" /></a><br />The recipe that saved me time is apparently a Weight Watchers' recipe, <a href="http://kateharding.net/2007/04/12/diets-dont-work-but/">but since diets are crap, and they don't work (even "lifestyles" like WW)</a> I changed it a little (another mum gave me the idea originally, but I couldn't remember the proportions).<br /><br />You will need:<br /><br />A boxed cake mix (any variety. If you get a vegan mix, which many of them are now, this is a great vegan alternative recipe)<br /><br />A can of soda (or about 10 ounces/295 ml)<br /><br />That's it! Don't add any of that crap that the box calls for. Just mix the soda and the mix in a bowl. Divide it into cupcake cups, and bake according to the box. I used Sprite, for anyone who is interested, with both a Pillsbury white cake and a Pillsbury triple chocolate cake.<br /><br />For the toppings:<br /><br />One box instant pudding<br />Cookies, crushed into good chunks.<br />Gummy worms. If you plan ahead there are websites where you can order realistic looking gummy worms, but I didn't really feel the need since this wasn't an actual Halloween party.<br /><br />For the chocolate I used chocolate pudding and hydrox style sandwich cookies, like Oreos, and for the white I used vanilla pudding and 'Nilla wafers. I have heard that chocolate chip cookies work well too, but I wanted a non-chocolate option available.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSDj6zjS1CPaPRJEUuK0r08mRvk9CW1LM8f94SSgjyzDrapLNMmFVnPq21vuSqaBCobMoBB9cEow_eqT78f0NpvxXmWiQ4WFpSd9fyYkzX-brcFSFvsm4F0L4k8lrZwYc6wFtRYddGmU/s1600-h/DSCN4547.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSDj6zjS1CPaPRJEUuK0r08mRvk9CW1LM8f94SSgjyzDrapLNMmFVnPq21vuSqaBCobMoBB9cEow_eqT78f0NpvxXmWiQ4WFpSd9fyYkzX-brcFSFvsm4F0L4k8lrZwYc6wFtRYddGmU/s320/DSCN4547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397793563008700050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Prepare pudding according to directions and chill. Mix crushed cookies and pudding in a bowl to get a clumpy mud like texture. Top each cooled cupcake w/ a scoop of "mud" and nestle a worm into the mess.<br /><br />They were totally easy, a lot of fun, and a little gross (not at all! NOM!). They are on the way to school right now to be enjoyed.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ETA:</span> I just got a call telling me that they look so delicious that they can not wait to dig in! SUCCESS!<br /><br />Hope you get a chance to try them out!Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-25372790497688951542009-10-14T12:54:00.009+09:002009-10-14T13:16:44.964+09:00The 63rd BuildingWe took Kid and a friend, S from school, to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/63_Building">63rd Building</a> over the long weekend. It was the tallest building in Asia when it was first built. It has a decent Sea World Aquarium inside, and a really cool observatory from the top, with one of those elevators that makes your ears pop. It was a lot of fun, and I think the girls had a blast. Plus, a monk smiled at me while we were eating gelato, so it was a good day.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxbfFlj2Rem0vWJ95KA2uGj1_aboubKM0YKC-4UPGD-gdnWgc_sX8kOy24yFpn2JIzeG26wFA8TK8VdCmshjXqEEH3MgtR9xd_hD5QWA3umuI7i-dyd9FQ8SOX4r7MVARhiuMmdAsbD4/s1600-h/DSCN4466.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxbfFlj2Rem0vWJ95KA2uGj1_aboubKM0YKC-4UPGD-gdnWgc_sX8kOy24yFpn2JIzeG26wFA8TK8VdCmshjXqEEH3MgtR9xd_hD5QWA3umuI7i-dyd9FQ8SOX4r7MVARhiuMmdAsbD4/s320/DSCN4466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392300638168686802" border="0" /></a><br />Kid is getting to be an Ol' Pro at the Seoul Subway. She even has her own T-Card now, and likes to stop at the 7-11 at the stations to get her favorite drink for the ride.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgaHkT8yoeQlEBpJKa8Ul64yx0PSaYkPhfWHcJ1zCAdQpyEgSdyCz_oNjvQ-8eXCt__GqcWYf7QfZ4Yle8BZfnskbZ9qG-1EHpJO_PxMuO_i6w3tV2eegMFReBXMhiv_j8hcAN9cCVto/s1600-h/DSCN4467.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgaHkT8yoeQlEBpJKa8Ul64yx0PSaYkPhfWHcJ1zCAdQpyEgSdyCz_oNjvQ-8eXCt__GqcWYf7QfZ4Yle8BZfnskbZ9qG-1EHpJO_PxMuO_i6w3tV2eegMFReBXMhiv_j8hcAN9cCVto/s320/DSCN4467.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392301134001842786" border="0" /></a>The 63rd Building on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeouido">Yeouido</a>. Very shiny.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5rLyYMRqSU3f81u3-UIdI518j7DT9w4m1YUhxt5DPdK2IKnKz82gs-SRScB7C4js-Dx4VxsXHDREIb-_7n7V1OdBz0j92ZypoKSVL5RQLdwl1GSY3R9J63bEfSYCcOTbc9ckBLJVYdI/s1600-h/DSCN4475.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5rLyYMRqSU3f81u3-UIdI518j7DT9w4m1YUhxt5DPdK2IKnKz82gs-SRScB7C4js-Dx4VxsXHDREIb-_7n7V1OdBz0j92ZypoKSVL5RQLdwl1GSY3R9J63bEfSYCcOTbc9ckBLJVYdI/s320/DSCN4475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392302091269530418" border="0" /></a><br />The girls in the only place where their giddiness can be contained. A giant bubble under water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp4KEC2_lwKbt59JNlDzK3L0NcILRMwN8Ht4Vp5TnGKcYG71ZciUdB6zHZufkVxnIzIvZa8lU6ks8LBNRFWsj6Z6SFP-dcGA3nc2rih20cDAEQYs3mlcKqZY7eE3u74FTzzJ0TNNS5bE/s1600-h/DSCN4480.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp4KEC2_lwKbt59JNlDzK3L0NcILRMwN8Ht4Vp5TnGKcYG71ZciUdB6zHZufkVxnIzIvZa8lU6ks8LBNRFWsj6Z6SFP-dcGA3nc2rih20cDAEQYs3mlcKqZY7eE3u74FTzzJ0TNNS5bE/s320/DSCN4480.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392302623481885650" border="0" /></a><br />A view from the top of the building. If you squint really hard you can see our ville. Just kidding!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCw6GfIIf8XtlNHb9puOG3r9YRUY0siG0wCOEwSfT1kpplKuWEAe1ClLlmPChZDP3Qi3BYNeZwDYGOwIe_D_QZ1rSdr6ZBo_WUy1NEOwZg6QhcntTUfP68Ax6KR2yEji24tf1XkdzsLY/s1600-h/DSCN4483.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCw6GfIIf8XtlNHb9puOG3r9YRUY0siG0wCOEwSfT1kpplKuWEAe1ClLlmPChZDP3Qi3BYNeZwDYGOwIe_D_QZ1rSdr6ZBo_WUy1NEOwZg6QhcntTUfP68Ax6KR2yEji24tf1XkdzsLY/s320/DSCN4483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392303156577592194" border="0" /></a><br />More of Seoul.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNewN_1Bss40U-Drw3GtvUteE1yjuQqOTi7N1FsDW-3fRLA43BsoJyEJYqPrOjkoQPhoC2jLn60VFk7dWenJFFXzamu4KWNcAx5fa1qARYFvWbJVqByG_iAaK9bOsOGAXF3fauVyJhMDo/s1600-h/DSCN4484.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNewN_1Bss40U-Drw3GtvUteE1yjuQqOTi7N1FsDW-3fRLA43BsoJyEJYqPrOjkoQPhoC2jLn60VFk7dWenJFFXzamu4KWNcAx5fa1qARYFvWbJVqByG_iAaK9bOsOGAXF3fauVyJhMDo/s320/DSCN4484.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392303442253290354" border="0" /></a><br />I thought this was really fun...someone enlarged a print of a Monet and replicated the bridge so that kids could have their picture taken on it.Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-46580112420167115082009-09-18T13:36:00.017+09:002009-09-18T18:37:11.554+09:00The Three Hour Tour -- The Sequel(Moderatrix' note: I am going to make the pictures smaller to make the post shorter...click any picture to embiggen. KTHX)<br /><br /><a href="http://blessedandcursedandwon.blogspot.com/2009/09/three-hour-tour-sequel.html">Part One</a><br /><br />We took a C-5 to Guam. A C-5 is the largest plane operated by the military today...and it is a lot like flying on a commercial jet. I actually like it better, since when it isn't filled to capacity there is a ton of room to lie down. You can kick up the arm rests in your row, lay all the seats back and stretch out. It is the most comfortable flight I have ever had the pleasure of taking.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTEg6QNVjaQuLR29bpRkqHAIAMZ7kXC-QLVxJHib0Z4fQcGngDajlq6q3FuKi-JGpr02NUyRhUJWqZX3sQvTPhbxT9GVsqQ8j_x7GRIuvkvPvH4Wq-5KRudG9yERFrXfJXiloWqCLX3Y/s1600-h/DSCN4208.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTEg6QNVjaQuLR29bpRkqHAIAMZ7kXC-QLVxJHib0Z4fQcGngDajlq6q3FuKi-JGpr02NUyRhUJWqZX3sQvTPhbxT9GVsqQ8j_x7GRIuvkvPvH4Wq-5KRudG9yERFrXfJXiloWqCLX3Y/s200/DSCN4208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382727611224335954" border="0" /></a>Guam... is just like Hawai'i... only more humid (but not as humid as Okinawa if you are keeping score at home). It's lovely and tropical and I bet that there would have been a lot of fun stuff to do if we had been there longer than overnight. On the up side, most of the housing has been turned into lodging...so we were given a two bedroom house for the same low lodging fare. The best part is that it had a washer and dryer in the house so we were able to wash our clothes. Yay!<br /><br />From Guam we made it to Hawai'i, and were on the ground less than we were in Guam. We were able to catch a flight to California first thing the next day.<br /><br />We arrived in California at about 0500, got a hotel with a late check out, ate the free breakfast, slept for a few hours and were on our way to Ohio. As far as Space A flying goes this was one of the smoothest trips we have taken. We drove from Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio up to my mother's house in Indiana (Hi Mom! *waves*) where we picked up The Kid...who was surprised to see us a whole day early. Tee hee.<br /><br />After spending a nice afternoon w/ my Mom and her Partner (sorry, ma, "boyfriend" doesn't really cut it for me anymore... LOL) we drove up to my Grandparents' house in Northern Michigan. Real Northern Michigan, not that top of the Lower Peninsula crap that most people South of Traverse City think is Northern Michigan, but actual, beautiful, sacred Above the Bridge Upper Peninsula. We had only two days to spare before we were hoping to catch a flight out of Indiana...so we had to make it count.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JIC54USNDIa8ceZhmBy5iVqmplv3WdoluUj86NUo6LmA2O39XxRUZP5YBRv7O8yzfSF8pv99YWJbpt93xi512xn2xZ0xqVbUYBBi23OQ7XsX5PY3lKrBe4VfZ-TZwgbusG-zUlHgPOo/s1600-h/DSCN4214.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JIC54USNDIa8ceZhmBy5iVqmplv3WdoluUj86NUo6LmA2O39XxRUZP5YBRv7O8yzfSF8pv99YWJbpt93xi512xn2xZ0xqVbUYBBi23OQ7XsX5PY3lKrBe4VfZ-TZwgbusG-zUlHgPOo/s200/DSCN4214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382728853244757362" border="0" /></a>We took Mom and L (Mom, I need a good nickname for this dude) out for lunch, and then went back to the house where L treated Kid to a Harley ride. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOqwbTFSGe-PNiE0fAUnxole6OmPcQa6ZaEMgsCvQRHYAQjYTML2ouO-lC06SoSZM4bO6UsLDct2MU-S_HLxF8KADERmMZaukj8tThX2cefKspt007oDxoSmh14JF9YuWbPsJZWXoLkY/s1600-h/DSCN4216.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOqwbTFSGe-PNiE0fAUnxole6OmPcQa6ZaEMgsCvQRHYAQjYTML2ouO-lC06SoSZM4bO6UsLDct2MU-S_HLxF8KADERmMZaukj8tThX2cefKspt007oDxoSmh14JF9YuWbPsJZWXoLkY/s200/DSCN4216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382729571774359410" border="0" /></a>She had been talking about it all day, so we couldn't very well leave w/o allowing her this indulgence. "Grandpa L" has really taken to her (who could resist her charms?), and I think he was just as excited as she was.<br /><br />Then we loaded up and made the trek North.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdFTtT7VskbHCqjxVDuGUc_k3WqDbl-Mai0Bv6k63u68FMPXiKxHGhqAZ7XSGQ14EwwV4bpeC520HvrhN1gSTiJ_kE_8Ku5mBmtEsuU3WZywApzU-9I9AH32BDv2Z3ODoIb8e4KPkOgU/s1600-h/DSCN4234.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdFTtT7VskbHCqjxVDuGUc_k3WqDbl-Mai0Bv6k63u68FMPXiKxHGhqAZ7XSGQ14EwwV4bpeC520HvrhN1gSTiJ_kE_8Ku5mBmtEsuU3WZywApzU-9I9AH32BDv2Z3ODoIb8e4KPkOgU/s200/DSCN4234.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382731133046978594" border="0" /></a>We had tons of Very Important Business to attend to while there. Not the least of all was paying a snorgle visit to The Cutest Nephews Evah! *Extreme NOM Warning* I can not believe how big they have gotten because it hardly seems that they have been around for over ten months now! Believe me when I say...trouble does indeed come in pairs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUnQK_V4R_JkIehx7R0feCQo1UFgdFJAgQhOCMU5cTX5-8vI_aQvGPlV8Ed6zTPVXm_IJWr9rjwWBfrz0Zz7eFe4CsXczI5ISnpPDdlytQsnxmAM4MsgKvW64ZdNAXEMsNrpsEDAYU40/s1600-h/DSCN4222.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUnQK_V4R_JkIehx7R0feCQo1UFgdFJAgQhOCMU5cTX5-8vI_aQvGPlV8Ed6zTPVXm_IJWr9rjwWBfrz0Zz7eFe4CsXczI5ISnpPDdlytQsnxmAM4MsgKvW64ZdNAXEMsNrpsEDAYU40/s200/DSCN4222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382731755431827842" border="0" /></a>It had also been far too long since I'd been out to visit Dad. For many reasons. First is that I am usually home in the Winter. This is the first time that the cemetery had been accessible when we were in the Sault. Second, it is extremely difficult for me to do. I haven't yet gotten to the point where I don't sometimes forget that he has walked on and want to call him or go see him...even after ten years.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3oDLP176RD7jHy6Gq5yg-dKb7hgMDYwyFjH3rxfGLy-twurkfi5_dihJ7Xyss7wSyNeXmzEK-4aNQ-d3_erQrRQSCd0u1Nf2YOh6OwgRkXYDuyunI30jnWFgrELIAxCpkWk8oIawflo/s1600-h/DSCN4256.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3oDLP176RD7jHy6Gq5yg-dKb7hgMDYwyFjH3rxfGLy-twurkfi5_dihJ7Xyss7wSyNeXmzEK-4aNQ-d3_erQrRQSCd0u1Nf2YOh6OwgRkXYDuyunI30jnWFgrELIAxCpkWk8oIawflo/s200/DSCN4256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382733369155358850" border="0" /></a>We barely had enough time to squeeze in an all too brief visit w/ my Grammy. One thing I didn't have was a picture of The Kid w/ Grammy, and that simply had to be rectified. I always regret not having more time w/ my whole family, but our time is constricted by circumstances beyond our control.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXT2s6FgBJ7OUd-POViPcFiN39gh5La7SefS9VeuZv4U-iV20nnVmAcasVPNu8d4FtWk5dpv6fDkzk7ELn_Nx-6xHY2-3EgM10V-Hd556_5EuUIqo_QlH0X8pe8JmowUORbDEkmnvm1ZM/s1600-h/DSCN4277.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXT2s6FgBJ7OUd-POViPcFiN39gh5La7SefS9VeuZv4U-iV20nnVmAcasVPNu8d4FtWk5dpv6fDkzk7ELn_Nx-6xHY2-3EgM10V-Hd556_5EuUIqo_QlH0X8pe8JmowUORbDEkmnvm1ZM/s200/DSCN4277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382733837799597138" border="0" /></a>We got a brief bit of sleep before packing up and heading back to Indiana to catch our plane back to California. This time we had a bit of down time, and were able to take The Kid out to Fairfield for a tour of the Jelly Belly factory. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Gz4mev4hz7LgHqke-SyAveULZe-amANTQX7Dp-bvppmGuHbh93bLJ8yiHddlJhgbXiCn6KCHeFd2Npzv9GoJAvVkmYaLZaRiz2-y4BqaSQuDfY85xW2Z0EJg3P6OWFbCMSQhMj1NNQw/s1600-h/DSCN4275.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Gz4mev4hz7LgHqke-SyAveULZe-amANTQX7Dp-bvppmGuHbh93bLJ8yiHddlJhgbXiCn6KCHeFd2Npzv9GoJAvVkmYaLZaRiz2-y4BqaSQuDfY85xW2Z0EJg3P6OWFbCMSQhMj1NNQw/s200/DSCN4275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382734909295239970" border="0" /></a>The tour was definitely worth the price (FREE!), but our tour guide was lacking. She used this phony accent that I can only compare to the way Gwyneth Paltrow tries to pretend she is British, but in an overly dramatic theatre diva tone. She also didn't know what flavor they were making that day...which I think should be a minimum requirement for being a tour guide. We are, however, still eating the Jelly Belly supply that we picked up while there. NOM!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2X6HV4hUCls4PgSRZmepDGuDTz-mOXetlX6n49meuEfwFxD8BJWJI1rh1w7PAz_60ybErA3goWyrf-w07B0FkfVmkOfuSc-KHx7AUdVJmmxKOo0dV_nGywgy7_2IxbIM6P1b4rPmkrc0/s1600-h/DSCN4341.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2X6HV4hUCls4PgSRZmepDGuDTz-mOXetlX6n49meuEfwFxD8BJWJI1rh1w7PAz_60ybErA3goWyrf-w07B0FkfVmkOfuSc-KHx7AUdVJmmxKOo0dV_nGywgy7_2IxbIM6P1b4rPmkrc0/s200/DSCN4341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382735868468478738" border="0" /></a><br />Our next stop was Alaska, and this time we had the fortuitous timing to be in time for the Alaska State Fair. We rented a car w/ an awesome woman and her daughter (with whom Kid hit it off and is now a penpal w/) and went out to see how my BFF Sarah gets her Fair on. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhz2B8wAY5yklKlDcvp5bwoxEIGB2YqvengnRy07eVzNugecWO-fWBVGzjA7xgn6D1v3Z4YF4GfAXsEIUiBKE42SKraT1AQ21m1TgKwzO2Ut1VsH0m71U_brrXyZUc7caCmcaiWrjWSTM/s1600-h/DSCN4351.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhz2B8wAY5yklKlDcvp5bwoxEIGB2YqvengnRy07eVzNugecWO-fWBVGzjA7xgn6D1v3Z4YF4GfAXsEIUiBKE42SKraT1AQ21m1TgKwzO2Ut1VsH0m71U_brrXyZUc7caCmcaiWrjWSTM/s200/DSCN4351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382737326972979042" border="0" /></a>Other than the scenery being absolutely astonishing the Fair was a hit. The Guy, The Kid and Kid's Pal had a blast riding all the rides while Pal's Mom and I played Paparazzo. There was delicious Fair food to be NOMed up, including Indian Tacos, hot dogs in fry bread, and a ridiculously huge smoked turkey leg.<br /><br />Being back in Okinawa was a spectacle and a half...and I don't mind saying here that the Airman that was working at the terminal when we were cut from the flight was an unhelpful Jerk, and that I know he allowed people to jump priority. Aside from that, we were shown incredible hospitality by Kid's Pal's family, and we managed to make it to Yokota in decent time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbuNtLpyHsG-CDHdZAxzx6dchJ0dtfy-WFaaHCDQCFQMST5xGMNet4gNgCpPx_6vZ55IaWALsg1yLEYsuQOnG_bBJLcfRRCkXV92oTtEFvbrnUmu5aqK08DgtFtIx8q9sN-19410aRsA/s1600-h/DSCN4364.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbuNtLpyHsG-CDHdZAxzx6dchJ0dtfy-WFaaHCDQCFQMST5xGMNet4gNgCpPx_6vZ55IaWALsg1yLEYsuQOnG_bBJLcfRRCkXV92oTtEFvbrnUmu5aqK08DgtFtIx8q9sN-19410aRsA/s200/DSCN4364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382737784964398946" border="0" /></a>Getting from Mainland Japan home was slightly hairy. In order to get Kid and Guy home in time for work and school we ended up splitting up, leaving me to hang out in Japan for a few days by myself. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAp0oPIRV01RVNWTpJPiZF4ud19YnMn-Eh2mxN63tHo4OLOXPOA3PiVE8bPTqORAOFky_M3bnsuXvphAJX5MoY5QOZxkVvHLaNbfvBcm2-qEdRlgkKUcXoXjfdSoY0O7ZQBEWwy-ok0AE/s1600-h/DSCN4371.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAp0oPIRV01RVNWTpJPiZF4ud19YnMn-Eh2mxN63tHo4OLOXPOA3PiVE8bPTqORAOFky_M3bnsuXvphAJX5MoY5QOZxkVvHLaNbfvBcm2-qEdRlgkKUcXoXjfdSoY0O7ZQBEWwy-ok0AE/s200/DSCN4371.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382738289773354002" border="0" /></a>In the end we ended up getting me a commercial ticket for a reasonable price a few days later. I managed a few pictures on my way to Narita Airport...and hopefully we can return when we have more time to see more of Japan. I must confess, the bamboo forests won me over.<br /><br />Oh, and the toilets at the airport. They amused me w/ their "flushing sound" feature. You can turn on a simulated flushing sound so that no one can hear you going about your business. Even our fancy bidet doesn't have that feature!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFM1L6mOrqJ0zNQ37QSdyXbmMCXou-m0_RAXD2eDyvz1rFT0RYsOQTXvSbUsxsjVLqqaxYei_V1-Kkfir6liO0NTcQACW3alEtKWSWQXVVvF0nP3q6GZ0_N6Z5yB6Qus31Xxabljtog4s/s1600-h/DSCN4381.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFM1L6mOrqJ0zNQ37QSdyXbmMCXou-m0_RAXD2eDyvz1rFT0RYsOQTXvSbUsxsjVLqqaxYei_V1-Kkfir6liO0NTcQACW3alEtKWSWQXVVvF0nP3q6GZ0_N6Z5yB6Qus31Xxabljtog4s/s200/DSCN4381.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382738862966815938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That pretty much wraps up The Three Hour Tour. Hope you enjoyed the virtual tour! I will return you to the regularly scheduled BaCaW blogging post haste!Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-83956964168137409272009-09-18T12:47:00.017+09:002009-09-18T13:36:18.102+09:00The Three Hour Tour -- The SequelThe return trip to The States to pick up The Kid at Summer's end was ridiculously more enjoyable than my solo trip back to Korea. Having The Guy along as a traveling companion increased the fun factor by about a nonillion times.<br /><br />It was pretty much the same song, different verse. We headed to Osan, AFB to catch a plane off the Peninsula. There happened to be a flight going to Kadena, a tiny little <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-12_Huron">C-12</a>, and we were lucky enough to be traveling lightly enough to make the roll call. C-12's are a turbo prop plane, and therefore subject to very strict weight regulations. You can not even be one pound over the limit set. Luckily we traveled lightly to make room for souvenirs for the fam (and for us too!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjyNC7XStsDK3jz-v2ycfjBLUvgYl0nvFGn0f0-VsmcG7axbBPGQ89p30oL96a4csaasFOea1sPguvjsxfTOq-ASCgFJ7e6NKK2YR-GdhyphenhyphenaHyUu2mtBa5u3BPRhWvFifTUUs4JU86asw/s1600-h/DSCN4127.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjyNC7XStsDK3jz-v2ycfjBLUvgYl0nvFGn0f0-VsmcG7axbBPGQ89p30oL96a4csaasFOea1sPguvjsxfTOq-ASCgFJ7e6NKK2YR-GdhyphenhyphenaHyUu2mtBa5u3BPRhWvFifTUUs4JU86asw/s320/DSCN4127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382650972335731570" border="0" /></a>The best part was having a window so we could take it the sights of flying so low. I got some great shots on the way. I seem to have a particular fondness for the way the clouds look over the Ocean. There were times I thought some of the clouds looked a little like the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Castle_in_the_Sky">Castle in the Sky</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2o_wM6304NbEDgus6neWKFuZXVat98yGVa2GHPB7ZMKR0zkth7-FUvSaLaUt_cY1WZHMpypED10SZBguu23hWAIP_ov7t1LRypxNAAOyxeHRhIfvgENHPEBotRCDCNtwdNPDiM9SlNBg/s1600-h/DSCN4138.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2o_wM6304NbEDgus6neWKFuZXVat98yGVa2GHPB7ZMKR0zkth7-FUvSaLaUt_cY1WZHMpypED10SZBguu23hWAIP_ov7t1LRypxNAAOyxeHRhIfvgENHPEBotRCDCNtwdNPDiM9SlNBg/s320/DSCN4138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382652422741210610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtJdAhFNA17K_2-tEYYKrx8vWlEC4ftrkf3bh1vfst6EmFEhynWIiubNEugEiZ94EeiD3M377ETHjaRFqQrm_EDyMjT_tUX01qCrjyCgcJ7wQOEitY7JRf6mIpCLcTju3jbhAwTCJalA/s1600-h/DSCN4149.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtJdAhFNA17K_2-tEYYKrx8vWlEC4ftrkf3bh1vfst6EmFEhynWIiubNEugEiZ94EeiD3M377ETHjaRFqQrm_EDyMjT_tUX01qCrjyCgcJ7wQOEitY7JRf6mIpCLcTju3jbhAwTCJalA/s320/DSCN4149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382652842843590546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It took us about three days to get out of Okinawa. In the mean time we had occasion to visit American Village again. We found an awesome pay by the gram frozen yogurt place, where you pick what flavor(s) you want out of a dozen or more, and then pile on all the toppings you want.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9JOreaK-FHSMFusJMT-dt3oR3LZs_i8btZmWJJo8e0aXpkh31qxQtoxN5RBV9W7twpg8-v8QUcDIlLGfnA0KTRXv4_YqBOSxuXEmLJsb862gkCT0O5yIhSCxBrL-NLdOAvIrdln1k6s/s1600-h/DSCN4161.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9JOreaK-FHSMFusJMT-dt3oR3LZs_i8btZmWJJo8e0aXpkh31qxQtoxN5RBV9W7twpg8-v8QUcDIlLGfnA0KTRXv4_YqBOSxuXEmLJsb862gkCT0O5yIhSCxBrL-NLdOAvIrdln1k6s/s320/DSCN4161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382654324883188594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXgagTxKU_vf94opTqykT8vJzzqS_uXwCmL3VSJE4Qo39-IFSWsZZ9Sago2F2OLVJEcbAhUJuBNs1_q_b6_8SraSFOHdml9JY-xdCQML8mBbd-pMvkJ80a51exLeLYKQF-EsrlAt5bug/s1600-h/DSCN4162.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXgagTxKU_vf94opTqykT8vJzzqS_uXwCmL3VSJE4Qo39-IFSWsZZ9Sago2F2OLVJEcbAhUJuBNs1_q_b6_8SraSFOHdml9JY-xdCQML8mBbd-pMvkJ80a51exLeLYKQF-EsrlAt5bug/s320/DSCN4162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382654743046939970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We strolled around looking for some souvenirs afterward. We weren't exactly sure, but we had a feeling that the Joshua store was having a sale...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqUGtKOg7cIBLjXSTyzgE1HS4ijThHkyuzSCuI4AccpAwb4Lyx73ETqp05D3yITiFJu0j1ADHjPL-vCcIRlRyTetr0u0bQMonL1SSIQoLE7jpljgvwnMhBH_vIrKRR3ENPpUuUf0MZek/s1600-h/DSCN4166.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqUGtKOg7cIBLjXSTyzgE1HS4ijThHkyuzSCuI4AccpAwb4Lyx73ETqp05D3yITiFJu0j1ADHjPL-vCcIRlRyTetr0u0bQMonL1SSIQoLE7jpljgvwnMhBH_vIrKRR3ENPpUuUf0MZek/s320/DSCN4166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382655387594126898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I found something I wanted to take home...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWAyUNs2-vzWvyikW_52oFOmCsR-KWVTJ1V0PLIj9zEQsUBLdU91oUHbKheqDsZ5mLwYG-Xl5iPsrykPwApFlw1GR20wo0Amcj8cE7o2mFlClKe33BjDxklJYhCKRykN9DeMEOEjrcLU/s1600-h/DSCN4167.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWAyUNs2-vzWvyikW_52oFOmCsR-KWVTJ1V0PLIj9zEQsUBLdU91oUHbKheqDsZ5mLwYG-Xl5iPsrykPwApFlw1GR20wo0Amcj8cE7o2mFlClKe33BjDxklJYhCKRykN9DeMEOEjrcLU/s320/DSCN4167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382655753193118626" border="0" /></a><br />...but sadly it wasn't for sale.<br /><br />We took a sunset ride on the ginormous Ferris wheel:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatb9Ed5JqKHRQqOTde9tmrtTSTTQWGyZ4k6sLq-SqBDvMn3v5r3LjnFSbPP60ryq7fHaB4Bm5esjh1FULN3LSKycBXjridtZklRIAkUKpk2VZObJe2FbsrEGLjOzdI830w1ItkotdafU/s1600-h/DSCN4177.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatb9Ed5JqKHRQqOTde9tmrtTSTTQWGyZ4k6sLq-SqBDvMn3v5r3LjnFSbPP60ryq7fHaB4Bm5esjh1FULN3LSKycBXjridtZklRIAkUKpk2VZObJe2FbsrEGLjOzdI830w1ItkotdafU/s320/DSCN4177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382656804948090194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and enjoyed the lights of the strip afterword.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_kC31A-2UHfQraOd3XZOEaoJtruvoDXlVQ-EyG31ZEoBuUrwgELuxNexXlxxtYwQMScErATg2N-qBKP9WQHM3IfcGhpQHGbKDhXh4d5EtCoYkRs32zoi7V4Ucnow4VulTBOs4a9zlXw/s1600-h/DSCN4190.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_kC31A-2UHfQraOd3XZOEaoJtruvoDXlVQ-EyG31ZEoBuUrwgELuxNexXlxxtYwQMScErATg2N-qBKP9WQHM3IfcGhpQHGbKDhXh4d5EtCoYkRs32zoi7V4Ucnow4VulTBOs4a9zlXw/s320/DSCN4190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382657131441109490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFJ2E_YlYz7Al5NJy8Sq0Cb1vqXAAKTD00hHHcbJNe_-f0fI5tsy7djMYy1aQnIHQ77YG7fddG3wtId0ZWSU-SGHoQaQVzovcyicWnaACG_jg6_HNjHDXGqRF712vGHrdVL50MMp8eUM/s1600-h/DSCN4195.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFJ2E_YlYz7Al5NJy8Sq0Cb1vqXAAKTD00hHHcbJNe_-f0fI5tsy7djMYy1aQnIHQ77YG7fddG3wtId0ZWSU-SGHoQaQVzovcyicWnaACG_jg6_HNjHDXGqRF712vGHrdVL50MMp8eUM/s320/DSCN4195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382657610434287986" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Guy took me to an awesome Teppanyaki Steakhouse, which if you haven't been to one I highly recommend it. It's a lot like a Hibachi steakhouse. Only better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknyERmw4KbeMJL3GYzY0XyDeTSlw54eDdt3ajX2ahUI5j9zdasP2pZX8WzmwgJwpbZOaW40kTzVODYG9ND9PXs2PLQ1dzwYjysSpME15a7wtEn2jUzMBeIJz6rxMuHaVk6wdca3DIzoA/s1600-h/DSCN4197.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknyERmw4KbeMJL3GYzY0XyDeTSlw54eDdt3ajX2ahUI5j9zdasP2pZX8WzmwgJwpbZOaW40kTzVODYG9ND9PXs2PLQ1dzwYjysSpME15a7wtEn2jUzMBeIJz6rxMuHaVk6wdca3DIzoA/s320/DSCN4197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382658162629690530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_1q4j9WmxK-B0LIJrc28OHSV01_XlfYELnTBUA-wc_kpUImZ6p6gmB0SBUQpD5VXrVBUNDJpbY5_mIz5K_OWw_hcQHifOZbFmcQnIFNLtHiISoogPtG91t8yBsQ5ne5WhpawxEDgVD8/s1600-h/DSCN4203.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_1q4j9WmxK-B0LIJrc28OHSV01_XlfYELnTBUA-wc_kpUImZ6p6gmB0SBUQpD5VXrVBUNDJpbY5_mIz5K_OWw_hcQHifOZbFmcQnIFNLtHiISoogPtG91t8yBsQ5ne5WhpawxEDgVD8/s320/DSCN4203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382658635413279810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The chef worked too fast for even my sports setting to catch. He juggled seasoning shakers and chopped stuff up so fast that it was like dinner and a show all in one. The steak was also almost to die for...I've never had kobe beef before...it definitely lived up to the hype.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-LNne_MYaKEjUkjOUiVVyS5-kRgSxDTV0zpEPY6BM7x2g6cpK9cGKpP0HhpjaJxz8xNOWOGWTSEXMR7GsQixDmzX47DHaWZE4IXO3ku6COje89_MwLdLfSPCnh1KnW-xlRbLOfV-QMM/s1600-h/DSCN4207.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-LNne_MYaKEjUkjOUiVVyS5-kRgSxDTV0zpEPY6BM7x2g6cpK9cGKpP0HhpjaJxz8xNOWOGWTSEXMR7GsQixDmzX47DHaWZE4IXO3ku6COje89_MwLdLfSPCnh1KnW-xlRbLOfV-QMM/s320/DSCN4207.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382659560902543058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We made it out of Okinawa the next day, and caught a flight to, can you believe it, Guam!<br /><br />(Apparently Blogger has a limit on post length...so to be continued...)Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-81541960536237680182009-09-14T19:38:00.005+09:002009-09-14T19:51:16.573+09:00OYD Cooks!One of our friends left for a training class in Alaska, and his wife was allowed to go with him, and since her going was a last minute arrangement they brought us a large gift of food that they didn't want to go to waste. Among the two enormous bags of fruits and veggies (and other stuff) was an equally enormous half of a watermelon. Other than chop it up and eat it as a snack I was looking for something creative to do w/ it. As many people who often travel will tell you, after a trip money can be a little tight, so I wanted to include it into the weekly meal planning, to pad the budget just a bit.<br /><br />I always turn to Al Gore's infinite wisdom, and I came up w/<a href="http://www.watermelon.org/recipe_detail.asp?recipeDisp=38"> this recipe</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tV7tJh6gJrTiYYtw6uyhdPnrv7bolYoim3eq3CED0giFvYppYeBK_LlFCHjtIGWvQEGv5jztPcOgdZ0mE_Ot9u_H8b7HEdZPRyoDcwiFE-TzHOFWEpRPmJsBbcoenavhBZM31bukhAA/s1600-h/DSCN4436.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tV7tJh6gJrTiYYtw6uyhdPnrv7bolYoim3eq3CED0giFvYppYeBK_LlFCHjtIGWvQEGv5jztPcOgdZ0mE_Ot9u_H8b7HEdZPRyoDcwiFE-TzHOFWEpRPmJsBbcoenavhBZM31bukhAA/s320/DSCN4436.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381272886340171730" border="0" /></a>I had to modify it a bit, as I no longer have lots of fancy vinegars on had at all times. I substituted balsamic in the dressin, and it turned out great. I also added some pre-packaged chicken breast from the lunch meat section (I try to keep some of that and canned chicken on hand for these occasions), to make it a whole meal instead of just a salad. Even though it was fully cooked I sauteed it in a little EVOO and garlic pepper, just until warmed w/ those little crispy brown sear marks on it.<br /><br />It was super yumm-O and refreshing, not to mention something I never thought to do.<br /><br />Enjoy!Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-42057627189603245422009-09-13T22:16:00.014+09:002009-09-13T23:15:28.539+09:00Some Random Photos!Yikes! I didn't realize it had been so long! Things were crazy for us this summer. First I spent <a href="http://blessedandcursedandwon.blogspot.com/2009/07/three-hour-tour_12.html">nearly</a> a <a href="http://blessedandcursedandwon.blogspot.com/2009/07/three-hour-tour_14.html">month</a> in <a href="http://blessedandcursedandwon.blogspot.com/2009/08/blog-post.html">the States</a> (or in travel to them), complete w/ a much overdue trip to North Carolina to visit a great friend. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5Nq4LNYFgYpX1wJUyLMeM-qy8MIcH2Oc4WAXcGxRdyYxLrdrZNw2zeNcQxEnsyAqOjszxQq9mJpXUucfFl9Pg-5CBrfuLJjhQ5sNxoEVLIN7ybHWG4hFXsIMYceaiyoZsLAmR-AEqrw/s1600-h/DSCN3968.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5Nq4LNYFgYpX1wJUyLMeM-qy8MIcH2Oc4WAXcGxRdyYxLrdrZNw2zeNcQxEnsyAqOjszxQq9mJpXUucfFl9Pg-5CBrfuLJjhQ5sNxoEVLIN7ybHWG4hFXsIMYceaiyoZsLAmR-AEqrw/s320/DSCN3968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380941668817411714" border="0" /></a>We've been friends for a few years now, but had never met in person. When I wound up in the Carolinas around 4th of July (with no AMC flights due to the holidays) I was graciously invited to visit and crash for a few days. I was treated to some awesome Southern Hospitality (tm), including an introduction to Bojangles, and this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZ7yRYA_kAw6hx6p06AT6FQBVU72wIsZrc8YnN4tOA8se8G6s2MTXssdAy7cYoc0Itk7I4LUfi9hsLJahExceiAukneC9RXkLqpZUy4yaqJi1eAVkO1VlVrZYa9d9eqVpUPbUGu657L8/s1600-h/DSCN3991.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZ7yRYA_kAw6hx6p06AT6FQBVU72wIsZrc8YnN4tOA8se8G6s2MTXssdAy7cYoc0Itk7I4LUfi9hsLJahExceiAukneC9RXkLqpZUy4yaqJi1eAVkO1VlVrZYa9d9eqVpUPbUGu657L8/s320/DSCN3991.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380942285072530818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A good ol' Crawfish boil. It was AWESOME! I have before had the pleasure, and it was so worth it. The only regret I have is that The Guy and The Kid weren't there to enjoy it. :(<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhkf78G6b8QO49QZBzTc4F0zxugymtIWOR90lAMHpola-H-S2-EHIucFpkwJKjcbftPdRr0i08EIN54oE5sp1P1C75lIYO4YM8CoHhtnJ9aH0qStYDJc9eNWcTpFBcyFIUbDsVFRm1FA/s1600-h/DSCN4004.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhkf78G6b8QO49QZBzTc4F0zxugymtIWOR90lAMHpola-H-S2-EHIucFpkwJKjcbftPdRr0i08EIN54oE5sp1P1C75lIYO4YM8CoHhtnJ9aH0qStYDJc9eNWcTpFBcyFIUbDsVFRm1FA/s320/DSCN4004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380945371280271906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dD5EJc8jFdEocfxlk9WU6NxKFTzdAr7TjpyJO92CCJSgd2emA2VICmNqpe1OfxPoopI4MYf_5BRKeHr4hm1FMQhLRhhImm6yb4Fqn3gOaYdgRz3anKipNohbcersC4LHZCF5HsMOTjk/s1600-h/DSCN4017.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dD5EJc8jFdEocfxlk9WU6NxKFTzdAr7TjpyJO92CCJSgd2emA2VICmNqpe1OfxPoopI4MYf_5BRKeHr4hm1FMQhLRhhImm6yb4Fqn3gOaYdgRz3anKipNohbcersC4LHZCF5HsMOTjk/s320/DSCN4017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380946036593042978" border="0" /></a><br />This doesn't even scratch the surface of the carnage she caused. (Love ya, girl!)<br /><br />It was a completely rad time. I also was treated to fireworks by the waterfront. Just like when I was a kid...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzV0TigZg7AJ0eOXxJLpirlHslYAoI4yBAKdhCeWHmmdyxjAtERni1oRk7SbXk8fmCIPIzdsumxVBlwHp8-muzDnWDdc5EJZtMYhHETqm4Dd58GgO_tQKHctOHIwPKIVqOhTOBArKvl4/s1600-h/DSCN4022.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzV0TigZg7AJ0eOXxJLpirlHslYAoI4yBAKdhCeWHmmdyxjAtERni1oRk7SbXk8fmCIPIzdsumxVBlwHp8-muzDnWDdc5EJZtMYhHETqm4Dd58GgO_tQKHctOHIwPKIVqOhTOBArKvl4/s320/DSCN4022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380946759396894050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Someday I will have a kick ass camera that can take quality pictures at all times of day. I vow it.<br /><br />It also included the worst. sparklers. evah.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtbWNoIptdEi0QGt92pl703nTxiyrl8G8KXSt7x52NBaxUuoHp_EyYq4EyLCj0a0aJUssfR9C5hjLxKgIlFvXT9_ZusXmFm2zv8kBH3ojmJuFol07dk3oyG2ZeYoL-p0manjy1ZZPuEE/s1600-h/DSCN4027.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtbWNoIptdEi0QGt92pl703nTxiyrl8G8KXSt7x52NBaxUuoHp_EyYq4EyLCj0a0aJUssfR9C5hjLxKgIlFvXT9_ZusXmFm2zv8kBH3ojmJuFol07dk3oyG2ZeYoL-p0manjy1ZZPuEE/s320/DSCN4027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380947354399523058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But it was a great time, all the same. We will definitely have to do it again before another three years lapses.<br /><br />When I finally made it home we had a houseguest from Iowa for most of four weeks. Just like when we lived in Hawai'i it took someone coming to visit to go see some of the best things out there. We observed John running amok w/ some great results...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa4jvJxYCjoayRWb0-8ZrWfY329dklWUc_OjCv2lRtEl8H1qe53FyRaWu8SfGZUGEeP4cg_R1WFoPHryzocYCzfT4qjzqoOyz4CbmwVRyiRVoOgYvu__iJpo8LJ8Eg0b6yzZISp0gxMg/s1600-h/DSCN4037.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa4jvJxYCjoayRWb0-8ZrWfY329dklWUc_OjCv2lRtEl8H1qe53FyRaWu8SfGZUGEeP4cg_R1WFoPHryzocYCzfT4qjzqoOyz4CbmwVRyiRVoOgYvu__iJpo8LJ8Eg0b6yzZISp0gxMg/s320/DSCN4037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380948201553405218" border="0" /></a><br />And also some failures. The stinkin (no pun intended) Kimchi Field Museum was closed the day we showed up! Boo!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr-QxHugWuDB_qi1fyt25SRyJksGA6llpQVNEYhcJl5dKdH9hZWJzmISoMLumUTKBkrBJduNbZzfvGptQnhkCltUrIT3w1kQxRdYiIlIke8WqOwesIIwAvTxXWR9myqQzstvTuazVQXI/s1600-h/DSCN4047.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr-QxHugWuDB_qi1fyt25SRyJksGA6llpQVNEYhcJl5dKdH9hZWJzmISoMLumUTKBkrBJduNbZzfvGptQnhkCltUrIT3w1kQxRdYiIlIke8WqOwesIIwAvTxXWR9myqQzstvTuazVQXI/s320/DSCN4047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380948778718221762" border="0" /></a><br />We found the best Brunch and Waffles in town. W/ the tiniest syrup pitcher in all the world...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zOmUnjz8IdP1UjWgRVQEucLDY0RvRchTcHhN8xbFhb6kYyuHPw1vpXVu-1xCD5cSGImAmb265NOrwWSTw2reOTemXLjlSFntbUsfSGQH21ztDlwBuS_ycug31R4YbAU4OaQ-NSm-Jzw/s1600-h/DSCN4048.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zOmUnjz8IdP1UjWgRVQEucLDY0RvRchTcHhN8xbFhb6kYyuHPw1vpXVu-1xCD5cSGImAmb265NOrwWSTw2reOTemXLjlSFntbUsfSGQH21ztDlwBuS_ycug31R4YbAU4OaQ-NSm-Jzw/s320/DSCN4048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380949312479803362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We made time for a trip to the DMZ, and the Third Tunnel of Aggression, which I knew was going to be exhausting, but I am glad I went all the same. To say it was an odd experience is an understatement.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi508AbuTnf1uyxxKM0L07Aj56LpotgwmJxqPZyPe7-oQ21KXPAQitV0VX-g-V9x50WBryCJCF2YoKGKFkLOmy4Z0rgR11tDwuJnxThZqhgRJ39jbQIhHTClyN2cjqDf3eWtuhhQMt2aIM/s1600-h/DSCN4066.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi508AbuTnf1uyxxKM0L07Aj56LpotgwmJxqPZyPe7-oQ21KXPAQitV0VX-g-V9x50WBryCJCF2YoKGKFkLOmy4Z0rgR11tDwuJnxThZqhgRJ39jbQIhHTClyN2cjqDf3eWtuhhQMt2aIM/s320/DSCN4066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380951199276387074" border="0" /></a><br />After the hike, Me, The Guy, and John.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSG4p4rvA1hB7J8t7K_SMSvq8gbqmWH4KCgEG9p7FftImOLqazTCHWzICiXJRD3Xmxycj9SjYwh4KB-d4UHLyafB5RWKhyphenhyphen8yNZWbyxrWzTuvxrwIuaKjazileCY3fBGDiqCr3EeDvDgo/s1600-h/DSCN4074.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSG4p4rvA1hB7J8t7K_SMSvq8gbqmWH4KCgEG9p7FftImOLqazTCHWzICiXJRD3Xmxycj9SjYwh4KB-d4UHLyafB5RWKhyphenhyphen8yNZWbyxrWzTuvxrwIuaKjazileCY3fBGDiqCr3EeDvDgo/s320/DSCN4074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380951748775257026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Actual sign at the actual DMZ. I wrote more about the trip <a href="http://randombabble.com/2009/08/10/moar-travel-blogging-4/">here</a>.<br /><br />And, of course, lots of great street food. NOM!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN9oOJyF9d_EZzZcWL0_N5Ys6YxdtS8mkQYf46AVDKI5Ap5vyLGxwiECct_9qUMiDd-l1eVwlOe1AIRuTRJelyHS_YR7VvMp3TQQbgUYHJl_175gz6HVBl_CnkNPWT0BT1wu03qe0vps/s1600-h/DSCN4111.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN9oOJyF9d_EZzZcWL0_N5Ys6YxdtS8mkQYf46AVDKI5Ap5vyLGxwiECct_9qUMiDd-l1eVwlOe1AIRuTRJelyHS_YR7VvMp3TQQbgUYHJl_175gz6HVBl_CnkNPWT0BT1wu03qe0vps/s320/DSCN4111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380953684061326178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After John flew home (but not until unlocking Pyro!), we packed our gear and headed out for the States again. In the name of keeping these posts from being too insanely long (I need to figure out the html coding for adding a jump) I will break that into another post.<br /><br />Your friendly neighborhood Moderatrix, OUT!Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-56870118974204277632009-08-08T14:45:00.002+09:002009-08-08T15:23:41.766+09:00The Three Hour TourSome Random Photos!<div><br /></div><div>Alaska.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTs7EvP8_xUWcVq_KdUuuz0Yhg_3V95spQyoQXXJG2sKyoUdfS7s41sAO4YxiTNG1TNymWkrXL3iooVgkUaKO3KE5nzI_-iX1Fz59XYTGEhejKw_D5Ajjs00bmmg8FxrwA1aLbHRwLWI/s1600-h/DSCN3882.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTs7EvP8_xUWcVq_KdUuuz0Yhg_3V95spQyoQXXJG2sKyoUdfS7s41sAO4YxiTNG1TNymWkrXL3iooVgkUaKO3KE5nzI_-iX1Fz59XYTGEhejKw_D5Ajjs00bmmg8FxrwA1aLbHRwLWI/s320/DSCN3882.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367465739045836162" /></a><div>Our first glimpse out of the plane.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60Fq2ecFOcflHj5j6SLUbwDY31BsM5qcjvusVOC8JN0HEMWKdfHI3qGkhytAB4DKxsR7aovBYZNmEpbwuGwuHgTBmzUBJAysGdFsFv0ZfbG7xizz0-LrViTZ2p0_Rd-KIukNN-UNw4u0/s1600-h/DSCN3886.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60Fq2ecFOcflHj5j6SLUbwDY31BsM5qcjvusVOC8JN0HEMWKdfHI3qGkhytAB4DKxsR7aovBYZNmEpbwuGwuHgTBmzUBJAysGdFsFv0ZfbG7xizz0-LrViTZ2p0_Rd-KIukNN-UNw4u0/s320/DSCN3886.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367466089661656498" /></a><div>Rise and shine, beautiful!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEECQlKSi0pMJdfnDwaU_Se5ZarNVr2N_4vkdVTczQyMJhfFYQvbU6c5JZjpuHHZ1S66BU2bNVbmFbuQDnSAqWhYgCWZLZtzXrunz4XGT1xD6WZIZ9brxijfk1U97AMUmW7-pfSXdhxTg/s1600-h/DSCN3888.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEECQlKSi0pMJdfnDwaU_Se5ZarNVr2N_4vkdVTczQyMJhfFYQvbU6c5JZjpuHHZ1S66BU2bNVbmFbuQDnSAqWhYgCWZLZtzXrunz4XGT1xD6WZIZ9brxijfk1U97AMUmW7-pfSXdhxTg/s320/DSCN3888.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367466515505972690" /></a><div>Enjoying a Little House moment.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUdINoKS_dVmXaykDMptVEJ5Db0AO8EUlX23jA63e-sjkWtbp03AvbuIo9yMIIncx_BDEpSR7tO6WLYrzQ2v7m3f3t3Ax5fEFehp2kfobdiYgESKERlmaLSIrxRO4CEQ5f-yk8sIStGQ/s1600-h/DSCN3894.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUdINoKS_dVmXaykDMptVEJ5Db0AO8EUlX23jA63e-sjkWtbp03AvbuIo9yMIIncx_BDEpSR7tO6WLYrzQ2v7m3f3t3Ax5fEFehp2kfobdiYgESKERlmaLSIrxRO4CEQ5f-yk8sIStGQ/s320/DSCN3894.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367466944557142770" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7ZNJqMU1oYCyg2qwFBRAp8asvZnxn4ms9260gnxmu9Z7esVxzGk-5junoclewA1TdJ7nRt_gwFVZEbNJ7YeaGlN_kt5U8JwhouPru37Y0liTlQXGstbynqYHN8c3Z9bEhgJFV6yWNvU/s1600-h/DSCN3900.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7ZNJqMU1oYCyg2qwFBRAp8asvZnxn4ms9260gnxmu9Z7esVxzGk-5junoclewA1TdJ7nRt_gwFVZEbNJ7YeaGlN_kt5U8JwhouPru37Y0liTlQXGstbynqYHN8c3Z9bEhgJFV6yWNvU/s320/DSCN3900.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367467427806996034" /></a><div>Teh Tired starts to catch up w/ the kids...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloQFk7D51lNQvadbqKLtcuxHI9_H1PhgYp0CCSgOaOYl5z5ezH3q-rIttED9SX5DA7dxdl4N-dEKVSiLsFsumDdij5QDPUjh9IQPma1s60TlyFMoJAxYBMLiNBPCFFVwjBt3ucmdiVWI/s1600-h/DSCN3902.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloQFk7D51lNQvadbqKLtcuxHI9_H1PhgYp0CCSgOaOYl5z5ezH3q-rIttED9SX5DA7dxdl4N-dEKVSiLsFsumDdij5QDPUjh9IQPma1s60TlyFMoJAxYBMLiNBPCFFVwjBt3ucmdiVWI/s320/DSCN3902.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367468123588860674" /></a><div>Fortunately you can't keep them down long...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJB6Oe84-Ua2JEoxrg6iO9RHveGmuAGAwL7IyxMLLdEJnEMGg5tKfcTSzD_VLARSyUDZli-M-bUD1Nhc_01B_EnnBwzZElQOvaj0RJhczj1Md8oPh8W1U3PkXe3Q_-HtsoVmIHyDqPFfY/s1600-h/DSCN3905.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJB6Oe84-Ua2JEoxrg6iO9RHveGmuAGAwL7IyxMLLdEJnEMGg5tKfcTSzD_VLARSyUDZli-M-bUD1Nhc_01B_EnnBwzZElQOvaj0RJhczj1Md8oPh8W1U3PkXe3Q_-HtsoVmIHyDqPFfY/s320/DSCN3905.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367468498801646962" /></a><div>I don't think that Sled Dog is gonna be pulling any sleds anytime soon...but it sure was cute!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ54WpJctdfXhSFO1mMy2jqCsVI_vGuiMyPEZ0a1MIFu1dJz9tkPJLfKbTsCwZ0_6uwlKwSLzmQyAAlEokb-puTCcOi9A4UwBGudssKmsAv7iugXz0BPMZ9FpNL2LNKvTu7qXrcGC7Uk/s1600-h/DSCN3907.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ54WpJctdfXhSFO1mMy2jqCsVI_vGuiMyPEZ0a1MIFu1dJz9tkPJLfKbTsCwZ0_6uwlKwSLzmQyAAlEokb-puTCcOi9A4UwBGudssKmsAv7iugXz0BPMZ9FpNL2LNKvTu7qXrcGC7Uk/s320/DSCN3907.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367468866084382914" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ54WpJctdfXhSFO1mMy2jqCsVI_vGuiMyPEZ0a1MIFu1dJz9tkPJLfKbTsCwZ0_6uwlKwSLzmQyAAlEokb-puTCcOi9A4UwBGudssKmsAv7iugXz0BPMZ9FpNL2LNKvTu7qXrcGC7Uk/s1600-h/DSCN3907.JPG"></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jETtHjN2XQkEsX4MoQ0MhtZICJvQYSb9XaqF9to_QXSy8Vc82AI3PZVWBdvHHjz1DeZCjhruuiSjUQWJEI9tST85_bLxbMuc2hv-Nc9EBuYUnPYOvZnBWkWbXZ4iGe0ac38OBtvvh00/s1600-h/DSCN3943.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jETtHjN2XQkEsX4MoQ0MhtZICJvQYSb9XaqF9to_QXSy8Vc82AI3PZVWBdvHHjz1DeZCjhruuiSjUQWJEI9tST85_bLxbMuc2hv-Nc9EBuYUnPYOvZnBWkWbXZ4iGe0ac38OBtvvh00/s320/DSCN3943.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367474101887357090" /></a><br /></div><div>There was salmon everything available at the Weekend Market. Salmon Quesadillas? Hrm...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZJuTNHHho6EPq4v8oMrEcU9WiBzhzh7EQu7CvXtjXMEjw7DqeYGB4n1qSDOtxqSIjfAlwXG2KWD42P7T7pkG2jQlwtoy42ot7XEOykUN3m4I4AZFKwSI31qXlVv-gV5G5-KVMLfZ3jg/s1600-h/DSCN3919.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZJuTNHHho6EPq4v8oMrEcU9WiBzhzh7EQu7CvXtjXMEjw7DqeYGB4n1qSDOtxqSIjfAlwXG2KWD42P7T7pkG2jQlwtoy42ot7XEOykUN3m4I4AZFKwSI31qXlVv-gV5G5-KVMLfZ3jg/s320/DSCN3919.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367469160338091218" /></a><br /><div>Looking for salmon...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VG8HG-7iF6e3wktwVbwFUhxetMpUQrvEBqd1NdB9eFPseaQ2VsTWENJQ-gkR40cDhXyLyvq15_fgyeABcbyDD-uvGlLCijcJk8777ZYFa-b6wQrhd83u9fJcreRhzvyRtHVtDu9lb5g/s1600-h/DSCN3923.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VG8HG-7iF6e3wktwVbwFUhxetMpUQrvEBqd1NdB9eFPseaQ2VsTWENJQ-gkR40cDhXyLyvq15_fgyeABcbyDD-uvGlLCijcJk8777ZYFa-b6wQrhd83u9fJcreRhzvyRtHVtDu9lb5g/s320/DSCN3923.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367469456120461378" /></a><div>...and looking...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSnG5pZz57aOfD0xGWD0bg30-gQqsSTJ-uKEaix6PQzFqagiYSuwOLiQwTuPcFcYXghy2C6gKuchIWjD0N2xIOl_rJbHk5rRR07Fa6ilmmT3IunSXZt8OqwN45a3Cjjkh6AuIRC2kKFo/s1600-h/DSCN3930.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSnG5pZz57aOfD0xGWD0bg30-gQqsSTJ-uKEaix6PQzFqagiYSuwOLiQwTuPcFcYXghy2C6gKuchIWjD0N2xIOl_rJbHk5rRR07Fa6ilmmT3IunSXZt8OqwN45a3Cjjkh6AuIRC2kKFo/s320/DSCN3930.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367469848513834210" /></a><div>...and still looking...</div><div><br /></div><div>After saving bits of their lunch to "distract the salmon" the girls were determined to catch one. "It's the freshest salmon you'll ever eat" they said (quoting Bear Gryls).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOgLZneqqxxrO4xQiPwlJ9a6p7fA6jjmws0xzygYyzxS040GK_y-v_O8IuDgjzlqW7weULrSM7NBocpg9dqkVEtwKQ7CD5KnL5rdRQNEJMmOOZ8el0qqV5MGdSM0rTvXquHg-ITfZQ6k/s1600-h/DSCN3933.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOgLZneqqxxrO4xQiPwlJ9a6p7fA6jjmws0xzygYyzxS040GK_y-v_O8IuDgjzlqW7weULrSM7NBocpg9dqkVEtwKQ7CD5KnL5rdRQNEJMmOOZ8el0qqV5MGdSM0rTvXquHg-ITfZQ6k/s320/DSCN3933.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367470396854811170" /></a><div>Finally we saw two (click to embiggen and you might see them as well!). The girls said they saw "millions", so I am guessing their eyesight is far superior to my own. LOL.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_IitFGhCR75V2pAlGgEqV2uPwY231UgRAlxffw28YxSa0KeiLBCzeLfOGREtKycaLMS9YUNbWtZmFivci6sa_yhLAflXd5svY7f8GXY7MILNc4LOfiHYyMyUK_oSlbmDC3YX9QAx0Vo/s1600-h/DSCN3941.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_IitFGhCR75V2pAlGgEqV2uPwY231UgRAlxffw28YxSa0KeiLBCzeLfOGREtKycaLMS9YUNbWtZmFivci6sa_yhLAflXd5svY7f8GXY7MILNc4LOfiHYyMyUK_oSlbmDC3YX9QAx0Vo/s320/DSCN3941.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367471101355113346" /></a><div>We took a trolley ride through Anchorage.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_ovvShjj-eQFRZ8RqmkhzGTDq_AXSlgCRkTpnfDVSwPP__8f9PjlFnWhMcij81Nuc-5QkWIqwCz6bSpEmodjXnhD_vOvFKO8ru5GGAJImVkj2Y0LHJzbhNSkaNWTf9mBHhyON05-xp4/s1600-h/DSCN3944.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_ovvShjj-eQFRZ8RqmkhzGTDq_AXSlgCRkTpnfDVSwPP__8f9PjlFnWhMcij81Nuc-5QkWIqwCz6bSpEmodjXnhD_vOvFKO8ru5GGAJImVkj2Y0LHJzbhNSkaNWTf9mBHhyON05-xp4/s320/DSCN3944.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367471386908606290" /></a><div>The trolley took us to the Anchorage Visitors' Center.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TIjFrKE5wknFuTX-UotPcT8qvtJFGS21G0rvN2tP67rMF5yv2nyribMpyEbGV_qQUZdrKMPVggqtdwiN3JznHxECMnEF7T2GKAsWVBSKYJ6FgNVyojWNqIO4nlwHU8LlF54AUKrfweM/s1600-h/DSCN3948.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TIjFrKE5wknFuTX-UotPcT8qvtJFGS21G0rvN2tP67rMF5yv2nyribMpyEbGV_qQUZdrKMPVggqtdwiN3JznHxECMnEF7T2GKAsWVBSKYJ6FgNVyojWNqIO4nlwHU8LlF54AUKrfweM/s320/DSCN3948.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367471871128985650" /></a><div>The Kid kept hitting her head on the sign while trying to have her picture taken under it. I think she really is my child. ;)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8Y6EBtsmUC6XhAummKrnT-9WsF7-WhrI3vcziWUXDvTj3Y9ZUQSLL3qidfvGVXjxW1VKse-vWDtD2EveAQP4U0FXR-QEDcHSNIM9Az1Zfrdjo8_EhyExMfkr0EsFZ1etrdw1zMNMd50/s1600-h/DSCN3952.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8Y6EBtsmUC6XhAummKrnT-9WsF7-WhrI3vcziWUXDvTj3Y9ZUQSLL3qidfvGVXjxW1VKse-vWDtD2EveAQP4U0FXR-QEDcHSNIM9Az1Zfrdjo8_EhyExMfkr0EsFZ1etrdw1zMNMd50/s320/DSCN3952.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367472312458699074" /></a><div>Inside they had money from all over the world. They didn't have any SK Won that wasn't a coin, so we donated. If you go there and see the Cheon Won hanging there, you will know where it is from!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnejB4-HmuAPCoRyfD3YrpKRwl1Uxh1Tprv5yOOAqKVypB5tu4HMd0Rbvp8kI2HDMgve_ldRcr4RgZQzt3fVU1lBYdd9At11lgpPUEKAWdLlczBgH6YtJ1AE1cpOsN9ynk_TVss9e8Ic/s1600-h/DSCN3957.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnejB4-HmuAPCoRyfD3YrpKRwl1Uxh1Tprv5yOOAqKVypB5tu4HMd0Rbvp8kI2HDMgve_ldRcr4RgZQzt3fVU1lBYdd9At11lgpPUEKAWdLlczBgH6YtJ1AE1cpOsN9ynk_TVss9e8Ic/s320/DSCN3957.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367473041827128082" /></a><div>I took this picture at about 0230. This is the darkest it ever was, and the same came up again promptly at 0430 just as we were ready to board our plane. The lack of darkness did nothing to help our jet lag, which was already bad because we left Okinawa on Sunday afternoon, landed in Alaska bright and early Sunday morning, and had to get back on the plane only 20-some hours later. It was beautiful, though.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's all for now!</div><div><br /></div></div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-88849539411511607372009-07-14T18:44:00.008+09:002009-07-14T19:39:36.291+09:00The Three Hour TourWhy "Space A" Travel Beats Commercial Travel<div>(And a few reasons why it doesn't)</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXKKeK2L-YP0lUnBPKdhJMghoCyluZLQ5tngQ_BUCCLXtEwwTi0Z2i9GS_YEJv4xjGHZeiW7N5EsviAr4KQjx9h66fVh4chgTs35u6qlJToXTpAobdwg-XrPojuB73W7c5yPAbg51g-I/s1600-h/DSCN3865.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXKKeK2L-YP0lUnBPKdhJMghoCyluZLQ5tngQ_BUCCLXtEwwTi0Z2i9GS_YEJv4xjGHZeiW7N5EsviAr4KQjx9h66fVh4chgTs35u6qlJToXTpAobdwg-XrPojuB73W7c5yPAbg51g-I/s320/DSCN3865.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358250505128284530" /></a>If you are in the Military and plan on taking advantage of the Air Mobility Command's services (formerly MAC), there are a few things you should know. I welcome anyone who is considering this to contact me if they have questions via email.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not the least of things you should consider is how much idle time you will be spending in passenger terminals. It isn't the most exciting nor fun place to be, and you will be spending great deals of time here. This picture is a good example of how we spent a good bulk of our remaining days on Okinawa. Kid has a favorite purple blanket that she received from my mother a couple of years back (it is the only thing she has held onto as a "favorite" for more than a month or two at a time) and we have a great fleece blanket that zips into a sleeping bag that rolls and fits in a small compartment of the backpack I traveled with. This made a great make-shift bed for a kid who had to wake up at 0245 some mornings, and also a great cuddling blanket on the flights because it gets very cold in the air. A word of warning, many passenger terminals don't allow you to sleep in them whatsoever (something about zoning?), and some also have "family rooms" which are a blessing. If you have children you can use the family rooms to allow them to sleep (many have travel cribs), and since you can't leave a sleeping child unattended you can catch a few ZZZ's yourself in the recliners. Kadena has a child's play room with a huge television and and playhouse where they can play as long as you check on them frequently and keep the noise to a dull roar. In our travels I found Kadena and Elmendorf to be the most family-friendly terminals.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccvgy2wJ912XihunSmlu74yGzEyaATNGR_kbNJ19OsxhWj0hYtBjgc08G2V-i400sN2bB5qDsU_zZH-NX2gkQMMCPH_6dQy6k6HJKWQhVMS2DLjOTKMecznOvZ8d3Td331z18uI8C4-8/s1600-h/DSCN3867.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccvgy2wJ912XihunSmlu74yGzEyaATNGR_kbNJ19OsxhWj0hYtBjgc08G2V-i400sN2bB5qDsU_zZH-NX2gkQMMCPH_6dQy6k6HJKWQhVMS2DLjOTKMecznOvZ8d3Td331z18uI8C4-8/s320/DSCN3867.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358254164072577170" /></a><div>Space A flights are way more relaxed than your average commercial flight. The nice Air Force, and occasional Sailor, crew are a great mix of professional and fun. After they demonstrate the safety gear and general rules they like to mingle and try to keep you in good spirits. Once you reach optimal altitude you are welcome to not only take off your seatbelt but to spread out and relax. On the larger cargo planes you are welcome to spread out onto the floor, lay down and sleep if you wish. This is where having a nice travel blanket comes in handy, because I am not going to lie, the floor is cold, hard, and more than a little dirty and dotted with places for connecting cables and lines. Another word of advice: Buy the box lunch. Someone somewhere at AMCs make sandwiches and pack them in boxes with fruit, candy or granola bars, bottled water, chips, soda (not options, pretty much all of the above) and a few other things, and for $4.50 or so it is a pretty good meal. If that isn't enough you are allowed to bring your own snacks, and I suggest anyone traveling with children do this. You can have forbidden items like produce or dairy as long as you eat or dispose of it before landing. The crew will also more than likely have a supply of water. On the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-17_Globemaster_III">C-17</a> (similar to this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:C-17_OtwartaRampa.jpg">open source photo</a>) they made coffee and shared it with the harried and tired looking parents, and even had a cooler of sodas and water available (at no cost!), although on the second leg we had to remind one guy to strap it down, since during takeoff from Kadena he forgot and it launched down the center of the bay and flung open over the sealed and plastic wrapped luggage. It was actually really funny, and sadly happened too fast for a picture.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9d-RzqafXRnvheCtSbNdJQ7yh1T41vK-lnRVZMUpbLqQ88Ui3JMVSj7NJ6p6X0gSYjP9yulH8w5tl8EdrlORsB7_iC0e97eY6-GtX5rZWZqSFG98T1kX947bcikyCdjuCsjpJehL9VVA/s1600-h/DSCN3870.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9d-RzqafXRnvheCtSbNdJQ7yh1T41vK-lnRVZMUpbLqQ88Ui3JMVSj7NJ6p6X0gSYjP9yulH8w5tl8EdrlORsB7_iC0e97eY6-GtX5rZWZqSFG98T1kX947bcikyCdjuCsjpJehL9VVA/s320/DSCN3870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358255936792917202" /></a><div>Something else that I absolutely loved about this type of flying is that it seems to be a bit easier on parents traveling with their children, of almost any age. Parents with very small children don't have to stress about their babies crying and disturbing other passengers. Space A flights are loud, since they aren't insulated the way a commercial plane would be against noise. Not only will your baby not be that loud above the sounds of flying and 30+ thousand feet, but most everybody is wearing earplugs, she they aren't going to hear it anyway. Slightly older children can sit together and play. I personally love that they are able to socialize on the planes, and was always warmed to the cockles of where my heart used to be by the sight of them sitting in groups consolidating their toys or swapping and sharing hand-held video games and books. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu_GIbJ1BUdTzF9El1tFVyXTk1PnWwD8Sz2DvNr2lGXp9aNvOH51WTwvKZi9BomjnqaQlqK_IXAck0vAdpaG81rDJIftiPJKj3jeVCuMZRNExLmMbyGHTTMAtPiMyFOovauyNn2uVXAA/s1600-h/DSCN3874.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu_GIbJ1BUdTzF9El1tFVyXTk1PnWwD8Sz2DvNr2lGXp9aNvOH51WTwvKZi9BomjnqaQlqK_IXAck0vAdpaG81rDJIftiPJKj3jeVCuMZRNExLmMbyGHTTMAtPiMyFOovauyNn2uVXAA/s320/DSCN3874.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358257624651056466" /></a>The crew will also, time permitting, offer to let kids explore the plane under their direct supervision. This includes seeing the cockpit, and on one flight the boom operator of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KC-135_Stratotanker">KC-135 Stratotanker</a> we rode took the kids down to see the boom used in refueling planes. If they do mid-air refueling they will usually let you watch, provided there is no turbulence or complications. Older kids and teens have the space to brood or mope or do whatever it is that teens do these days with their ears jammed with headphones. Some of the larger planes even have outlets for you to plug in your laptop or portable DVD player. All you have to do is be prepared to return to your seat and buckle in the case of turbulence. And did I mention that there is a ton of space on most flights to sprawl out and sleep? Well, on most flights there is a ton of space to sprawl out and sleep. :P</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jNKA7yTEW7Im4rLjAttEj0Mgo0U9x1R39tDpi_QnRQRUVplvp6Yg5MfbKOW8wcEgPpPV0yhDlxFYh_52dEmA75RBszk9M24LbsxPSu9csNldvKX0K-1941smRbO3h95vStuiNOw-TSU/s1600-h/DSCN3872.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jNKA7yTEW7Im4rLjAttEj0Mgo0U9x1R39tDpi_QnRQRUVplvp6Yg5MfbKOW8wcEgPpPV0yhDlxFYh_52dEmA75RBszk9M24LbsxPSu9csNldvKX0K-1941smRbO3h95vStuiNOw-TSU/s320/DSCN3872.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358259985699462690" /></a><div>On thing to note is that you are flying on a military mission plane. They are usually coming or going from or to or during something official, and you need to respect that. You need to listen when they tell you no hats in certain areas. You need to respect that some areas are sensitive, so you will not be permitted to take pictures. Having had the kind of job I did when I was Active Duty I understand full well why taking pictures of or on the Flight Line is a no-no. Don't argue. Don't try to sneak a shot (they WILL confiscate your camera). Have more respect than news agencies do for sensitive materials and remember that what seems harmless to you could actually endanger the lives of these men and women who are providing travel to you at no cost. You may, however, take pictures on board in the passenger/cargo area, and out the windows as well. We rode directly through this sunset on our way to Alaska. It was pretty much the same sky for most of the 9 hour flight. We flew into it, and it was behind us as we landed in Alaska at what should have been Dark Thirty in the morning. Hey, it is Summer in The Land of the Midnight Sun. More on that next time!</div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-51383245159967340392009-07-12T07:26:00.023+09:002009-07-12T16:23:18.390+09:00The Three Hour TourOkinawa.<div><br /></div><div>We landed in Okinawa, and I want to say thank you to the family who offered to drive us to our hotel after taking their own things home. I noticed that people on these flights really help one another out, and I think that comes with the camaraderie of being in the military life. We learned a long time ago that we can't do everything alone and really reach out to help a fellow soldier, shipmate, marine or airman. Pay it forward is all anyone ever asked me to do. We got to our hotel so late that not even the one place delivering food was open so we could order dinner. Instead, we settled for this nutritious schmorgasboard:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZusUT4qj_CDxX10Gre-SN7P6wJBaE7XWdcldMhzvbaj-via14f2OuUtalcuU4jbIAYxtVa-rzOyylSwMBXdVhhJKWwW4-QnyMIytfRjEtg2Rjebr5L146qEQpz0bWpGmUxbBu8UGreDY/s1600-h/DSCN3772.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZusUT4qj_CDxX10Gre-SN7P6wJBaE7XWdcldMhzvbaj-via14f2OuUtalcuU4jbIAYxtVa-rzOyylSwMBXdVhhJKWwW4-QnyMIytfRjEtg2Rjebr5L146qEQpz0bWpGmUxbBu8UGreDY/s320/DSCN3772.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357453764863666818" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The flight we were trying to catch which would take us to Travis in CA kept canceling. There was an issue with the plane when it landed at its home base. The few flights that did pop up filled quickly with higher category people, or were canceled due to the typhoons happening South of us at the time. But that is the Space A game. You go to the terminal very early in the morning (usually about 0330 or 0400) to wait to either catch a flight or not catch a flight. It is best to stay the whole day unless they assure you all flights have been canceled just in case something pops up. The first day we didn't camp out all day, and after the early flight cancelled we decided to try and see some of the Island, since it had been the only flight not going to Mainland Japan.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9EmDIYzoN64Ispt5faJuA29klLSH-CJnVWv6UQ81dfMbhbSfRST3LtjEglSvPqvgfPnhTe4MUwQAol7yLFv4wddatMT48w2XnpKzxtU4fnminUCt2wFXI3bLSvl9EsHKeM0OorufVnY/s1600-h/DSCN3774.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9EmDIYzoN64Ispt5faJuA29klLSH-CJnVWv6UQ81dfMbhbSfRST3LtjEglSvPqvgfPnhTe4MUwQAol7yLFv4wddatMT48w2XnpKzxtU4fnminUCt2wFXI3bLSvl9EsHKeM0OorufVnY/s320/DSCN3774.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357455352015771122" /></a><br /></div><div>Okinawa is a lot like Hawai'i, complete with high cost of living and virtually no public transportation. Aside from Sam, the awesome shuttle driver from Niece who spoke five languages (I totes got to flex my unused language skills!) we were stuck with taxis. Taxis on Okinawa are way expensive. The Kid and I headed out to American village, which was only a few minutes ride away, and we paid more for that ride than we do here for a fifteen minute ride to the base. More by double. Also, the whole driving on the other side of the road thing freaked me out, even though I knew about it. I just couldn't get it out of my head that we were driving on the left and not going to crash into oncoming traffic!</div><div><br /></div><div>So we went to American Village, which is a shopping center full of souvenir like shops and restaurants sporting local Okinawan fare. Okinawa has a history all its own, with people descended mostly from Mongol and Malay and its own language and food. Soba, apparently, is a native Okinawa food, or so they would have me believe, as I didn't really have time to verify that. Like Hawai'i, Okinawans are very proud of being Okinawan and prefer you to know that they are not simply Japanese.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kid pretty much had to pose with any and all statues of dragon or fu dog that we came upon. Luckily I like to indulge her need to be photographed.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUcF2N1cELVeXjVJ9z6Cmg3cNaWjv3iRL9BLq4UdyUm13tZCCY6vwvKMi_jJ6w7y1PQAzaX6zsaDwwMGz1FuWDSmeWp9hvk2ga0zrm-icLfDQDyJ9PRy9iwXJWkvi8ak_8K1t9qYFJaM/s1600-h/DSCN3778.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUcF2N1cELVeXjVJ9z6Cmg3cNaWjv3iRL9BLq4UdyUm13tZCCY6vwvKMi_jJ6w7y1PQAzaX6zsaDwwMGz1FuWDSmeWp9hvk2ga0zrm-icLfDQDyJ9PRy9iwXJWkvi8ak_8K1t9qYFJaM/s320/DSCN3778.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357456848425898514" /></a><br /></div><div>At the Passenger Terminal.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUoJcqORpZQWD_XNMOk5QLG5FwJziLKMSQmZVlpRgXFHXdYtvfcQUhRNkfPUN8eHowMfjbxPsRK5UZ0zrJ_mf5Qf9DzZ7293VKPkKII-624NwS7_JHjmdgucKOUVzwFIhyphenhyphenOH3s5Nlmp4/s1600-h/DSCN3781.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUoJcqORpZQWD_XNMOk5QLG5FwJziLKMSQmZVlpRgXFHXdYtvfcQUhRNkfPUN8eHowMfjbxPsRK5UZ0zrJ_mf5Qf9DzZ7293VKPkKII-624NwS7_JHjmdgucKOUVzwFIhyphenhyphenOH3s5Nlmp4/s320/DSCN3781.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357457129411830386" /></a><br /></div><div>At American Village.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHOWrBETPGSninRBXVEUDsZVwhwYDatwNmlBDIgNosD9nZYpqLpYvJDtjaXuwFjAdC7pYkuocQ7WnEa1JuPQLIJu2xe68SGOCiFCHW8jhH3vqY1jboweYNwlIBS8tE3G666sPEQvob_I/s1600-h/DSCN3851.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHOWrBETPGSninRBXVEUDsZVwhwYDatwNmlBDIgNosD9nZYpqLpYvJDtjaXuwFjAdC7pYkuocQ7WnEa1JuPQLIJu2xe68SGOCiFCHW8jhH3vqY1jboweYNwlIBS8tE3G666sPEQvob_I/s320/DSCN3851.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357457449284493650" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHOWrBETPGSninRBXVEUDsZVwhwYDatwNmlBDIgNosD9nZYpqLpYvJDtjaXuwFjAdC7pYkuocQ7WnEa1JuPQLIJu2xe68SGOCiFCHW8jhH3vqY1jboweYNwlIBS8tE3G666sPEQvob_I/s1600-h/DSCN3851.JPG"></a>At Sunset Beach.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0KfXfGZcsMESPCRA1Fz2S1GcQfDub7fWJAVtXRVAaKfkz0qFGQI3Qy-w0wIpRuoFL6yNtGTWfA4kGrOfTZK_rPEv4T6_NuPNTrkYB0AaCjxF2bt1ksPdwctEoN3DFo0ayAFShdE7xMI/s1600-h/DSCN3787.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0KfXfGZcsMESPCRA1Fz2S1GcQfDub7fWJAVtXRVAaKfkz0qFGQI3Qy-w0wIpRuoFL6yNtGTWfA4kGrOfTZK_rPEv4T6_NuPNTrkYB0AaCjxF2bt1ksPdwctEoN3DFo0ayAFShdE7xMI/s320/DSCN3787.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357458097284139154" /></a></div><div>There was a huge Ferris Wheel at American village and Kid begged for the first fifteen minutes that we were walking around to get to ride on it. We went inside and managed to find our way to the machine that sells tickets.</div><div><br /></div><div>As we waited our turn to board I thought The Kid was going to 'asplode with excitement.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzNuaJ9sNDt58ur25kLqhHcCJFYceZrgQxB0NsovsvqgsJdeKjsJLjD0jwDzqigPN4nO3X5ngEMmuxY-SWf7tbmjDBF3afJUef4IlDDL9BtopxFRGtQ3rt9pynh6mQC0jRHbm0IgVyRw/s1600-h/DSCN3792.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzNuaJ9sNDt58ur25kLqhHcCJFYceZrgQxB0NsovsvqgsJdeKjsJLjD0jwDzqigPN4nO3X5ngEMmuxY-SWf7tbmjDBF3afJUef4IlDDL9BtopxFRGtQ3rt9pynh6mQC0jRHbm0IgVyRw/s320/DSCN3792.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357458716092253362" /></a><br /></div><div>That soon changed, as this is apparently the world's slowest Ferris Wheel. About five minutes into the fifteen minute ride (which makes exactly one revolution) she was bored.<br /><br /></div><div>The view from the top was still rather lovely, and we were able to see the whole of the are and plot our next move, which was to go to Sunset Beach and relax there for a spell.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxGGL9WvfpiHCMNfg1aJcRMG9ZZJrVtxjHOxYvCV1_rg2DxdcfvsHxYdXi67xjY_n9S162e_JXAxnW3nUCmkh9Lum2jGNL_XmgUjBF4y0SGXf7IB7-E5u37fcLiHZVnnk6PsY4PorNy8/s1600-h/DSCN3805.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxGGL9WvfpiHCMNfg1aJcRMG9ZZJrVtxjHOxYvCV1_rg2DxdcfvsHxYdXi67xjY_n9S162e_JXAxnW3nUCmkh9Lum2jGNL_XmgUjBF4y0SGXf7IB7-E5u37fcLiHZVnnk6PsY4PorNy8/s320/DSCN3805.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357459323746353202" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LP3UOuJ4E9YqwIpRCOCb2PxWDEiqkH-Pu86mw6tgLh1LtY2apz8owJ_AIiY8xOBaeb8Z7yX9NMKTOLKOoSIP1jYwvANju5R0SspvglWIO9JEybvWq7Z9eTqAN7CYvGbTPXGa3m-HzFI/s1600-h/DSCN3793.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LP3UOuJ4E9YqwIpRCOCb2PxWDEiqkH-Pu86mw6tgLh1LtY2apz8owJ_AIiY8xOBaeb8Z7yX9NMKTOLKOoSIP1jYwvANju5R0SspvglWIO9JEybvWq7Z9eTqAN7CYvGbTPXGa3m-HzFI/s320/DSCN3793.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357459804751680770" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LP3UOuJ4E9YqwIpRCOCb2PxWDEiqkH-Pu86mw6tgLh1LtY2apz8owJ_AIiY8xOBaeb8Z7yX9NMKTOLKOoSIP1jYwvANju5R0SspvglWIO9JEybvWq7Z9eTqAN7CYvGbTPXGa3m-HzFI/s1600-h/DSCN3793.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_rDZ6HbujNKt4Vp3XVaLkELcGFpJ0mpebALDqOIpE0iMMg5I8JGqqeIM30K05Z1Zx1Q_XPsk5Of-W8CTjz14-lqHooJyAFcYzByAlfHElC6gwSZXncD2uoSV1WeW7c4bHX7sHYMN7g4/s1600-h/DSCN3817.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_rDZ6HbujNKt4Vp3XVaLkELcGFpJ0mpebALDqOIpE0iMMg5I8JGqqeIM30K05Z1Zx1Q_XPsk5Of-W8CTjz14-lqHooJyAFcYzByAlfHElC6gwSZXncD2uoSV1WeW7c4bHX7sHYMN7g4/s320/DSCN3817.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357461018734979506" /></a>Sunset Beach is a cute little protected cove that is netted off to prevent some of the nasties, like box jellyfish and such, from coming to shore and bothering the people enjoying it. The sand is comprised mostly of crushed shells, and the water was as warm as a bath. Having not had the foresight to bring our bathing suits we settled for wading and enjoying the beach.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigu-wnH8cAgEymtJDEGvN5DIu4hyltzkONTjAfcuC_GPAdlhcBHotDCYZliEgdk8aBxqG6mO1HVfv92zCh1o9IEChU8TYtmak9RcCRZg39Rq-bu-1It1GjELYnA-97MLt-DFfIE4jHGpQ/s1600-h/DSCN3823.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigu-wnH8cAgEymtJDEGvN5DIu4hyltzkONTjAfcuC_GPAdlhcBHotDCYZliEgdk8aBxqG6mO1HVfv92zCh1o9IEChU8TYtmak9RcCRZg39Rq-bu-1It1GjELYnA-97MLt-DFfIE4jHGpQ/s320/DSCN3823.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357461604301723138" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>The walkway around the edge of the beach is lined with concrete dividers which have all been painted uniquely, and the beach itself has these things that resemble concrete Jax, some of which have also been painted. There were several which we found really fun.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAU0zmaZMy2XV7Z5d8YjDL72nrlNmOfFEcWKI3_Y2zz8GQ1saM-__YWP16xfnrOe3kvSFkp6J0ApM4zeS-K00etaCjoHPW6z32XGeuM-WlluwUgACxCZmnChK3E8ulVDTDq_Gr-l4d2s/s1600-h/DSCN3839.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAU0zmaZMy2XV7Z5d8YjDL72nrlNmOfFEcWKI3_Y2zz8GQ1saM-__YWP16xfnrOe3kvSFkp6J0ApM4zeS-K00etaCjoHPW6z32XGeuM-WlluwUgACxCZmnChK3E8ulVDTDq_Gr-l4d2s/s320/DSCN3839.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357462103542809810" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAU0zmaZMy2XV7Z5d8YjDL72nrlNmOfFEcWKI3_Y2zz8GQ1saM-__YWP16xfnrOe3kvSFkp6J0ApM4zeS-K00etaCjoHPW6z32XGeuM-WlluwUgACxCZmnChK3E8ulVDTDq_Gr-l4d2s/s1600-h/DSCN3839.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4nAEkcbkbLV22Ni7E9V1Ds_bN45HCMRHwLkbr5BJ7TBSHqCGuFXArC5AuJE1v0jxfmlzx0RXA3e5KBTkuBpd1gURNnmHX_XRVG7RFzwHDgD-ILGh8e0U0UPtFOjqn_3SR6zsUwODXYM/s1600-h/DSCN3843.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4nAEkcbkbLV22Ni7E9V1Ds_bN45HCMRHwLkbr5BJ7TBSHqCGuFXArC5AuJE1v0jxfmlzx0RXA3e5KBTkuBpd1gURNnmHX_XRVG7RFzwHDgD-ILGh8e0U0UPtFOjqn_3SR6zsUwODXYM/s320/DSCN3843.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357462335762914018" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4nAEkcbkbLV22Ni7E9V1Ds_bN45HCMRHwLkbr5BJ7TBSHqCGuFXArC5AuJE1v0jxfmlzx0RXA3e5KBTkuBpd1gURNnmHX_XRVG7RFzwHDgD-ILGh8e0U0UPtFOjqn_3SR6zsUwODXYM/s1600-h/DSCN3843.JPG"></a>My favorite one.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI8RciKFGvz4IdqaOhiG_CBBNjFBjajEdYJt8TNjdcSQTgDQ69x1H2Fubkf1YEpWCX53j4i1Av07hdJgOs8UlkHAW3ChwlRBU9PxbC4dg3gfrReO8tdKcSLbgBhb2AAwLESEoMBUt90A/s1600-h/DSCN3844.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI8RciKFGvz4IdqaOhiG_CBBNjFBjajEdYJt8TNjdcSQTgDQ69x1H2Fubkf1YEpWCX53j4i1Av07hdJgOs8UlkHAW3ChwlRBU9PxbC4dg3gfrReO8tdKcSLbgBhb2AAwLESEoMBUt90A/s320/DSCN3844.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357462680608424194" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI8RciKFGvz4IdqaOhiG_CBBNjFBjajEdYJt8TNjdcSQTgDQ69x1H2Fubkf1YEpWCX53j4i1Av07hdJgOs8UlkHAW3ChwlRBU9PxbC4dg3gfrReO8tdKcSLbgBhb2AAwLESEoMBUt90A/s1600-h/DSCN3844.JPG"></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4dCiZJ4rxjznSxKPqDB-2rG0lVWz-s8ypTe2ER01Cj_1ALT1qW3VibeoQZo-mHLtAW0j0b3xvPzDMaJUT_xRTN-JBXBl5iJ-m9X0Zy2rGVOGh8zMWf8Grdake-byVgAWLjI15iGG5Bs/s1600-h/DSCN3840.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4dCiZJ4rxjznSxKPqDB-2rG0lVWz-s8ypTe2ER01Cj_1ALT1qW3VibeoQZo-mHLtAW0j0b3xvPzDMaJUT_xRTN-JBXBl5iJ-m9X0Zy2rGVOGh8zMWf8Grdake-byVgAWLjI15iGG5Bs/s320/DSCN3840.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357463027356258562" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4dCiZJ4rxjznSxKPqDB-2rG0lVWz-s8ypTe2ER01Cj_1ALT1qW3VibeoQZo-mHLtAW0j0b3xvPzDMaJUT_xRTN-JBXBl5iJ-m9X0Zy2rGVOGh8zMWf8Grdake-byVgAWLjI15iGG5Bs/s1600-h/DSCN3840.JPG"></a>There is also no swimming, in any language, past the protective barriers.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQA91woaI5RhMjNk2C-QohlcSpYEzzYqHnh77-3hQVMGCZ2j00QAsoJr04DWjP4089Tn8mq9K8S-41CkI29wK3EDiimXOkdFPN9-zDkjluoVQHkZsjlndHMY6D1UTsXHZMMhyphenhyphenf4OrsIY/s1600-h/DSCN3842.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQA91woaI5RhMjNk2C-QohlcSpYEzzYqHnh77-3hQVMGCZ2j00QAsoJr04DWjP4089Tn8mq9K8S-41CkI29wK3EDiimXOkdFPN9-zDkjluoVQHkZsjlndHMY6D1UTsXHZMMhyphenhyphenf4OrsIY/s320/DSCN3842.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357463330958448674" /></a><br /></div><div>Presumably, should you violate this rule a giant squid will eat you.</div><div><br /></div><div>After a few hours on the beach we decided to head back, but oops! I forgot that I didn't have a working cell phone in Japan, so thank-you, random guy in a U of M t-shirt who dialed the cab company for us! It really is true that military people seem to stick together and not mind helping each other out.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next three days we spent pretty much between the hotel and the terminal, checking in and out and waiting for flights that never arrived. Our spirits were still high, starting each morning off with a new drink from the vending machine:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUB47hw0ZM00Sf5czlQKjS4Y4BRd1enVqtqW5Ak7XI748woxoHQoi470cPv2ol_Pe8fOeo0VOHzALWn6ApFZHlj1CnJyoJXPNtQCTMeYmF5UZqWStzAeWhexQHBmLlZWtQNcTXMc85_B0/s1600-h/DSCN3860.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUB47hw0ZM00Sf5czlQKjS4Y4BRd1enVqtqW5Ak7XI748woxoHQoi470cPv2ol_Pe8fOeo0VOHzALWn6ApFZHlj1CnJyoJXPNtQCTMeYmF5UZqWStzAeWhexQHBmLlZWtQNcTXMc85_B0/s320/DSCN3860.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357464722367388578" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUB47hw0ZM00Sf5czlQKjS4Y4BRd1enVqtqW5Ak7XI748woxoHQoi470cPv2ol_Pe8fOeo0VOHzALWn6ApFZHlj1CnJyoJXPNtQCTMeYmF5UZqWStzAeWhexQHBmLlZWtQNcTXMc85_B0/s1600-h/DSCN3860.JPG"></a>We ended up meeting up with a really nice woman and her son, who was about Kid's age, who were also staying in the same lodge and also trying to get to the States. She is a teacher at Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station in Yamaguchi on the Mainland, so she had a Japanese driver's license and rented a car for the day (the only thing that wasn't outrageously expensive) inviting us to join them. We went out to dinner and took the kids to see <i>Up</i> (which I found tragically sad and not overly enjoyable, but had cute moments). It was nice to have a playmate for Kid while we were at the terminal as well. More passenger terminals and commercial airports need kid rooms with toys. This was a blessing for bored children in terminals and for the parents who are stressed trying to find flights off the Island. After about the third day I felt like Gilligan (hence the affectionate name of this series of posts), thinking we would get off the Island only to have our hopes dashed about the shore when the flights filled with higher category travelers or were canceled altogether. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sEWW_BScg-CGfkq-SYkgT3X-l5xoWBfaOvX9-O67OIata-EizvTfl_o4879I8V0GthSoc4BHreeVLZCOP_sMsWPLd1Du4VfJnB51Zj9ppHLtpOB0PDB_2yU_gINEoOa0pOLc2e3PfL8/s1600-h/DSCN3864.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sEWW_BScg-CGfkq-SYkgT3X-l5xoWBfaOvX9-O67OIata-EizvTfl_o4879I8V0GthSoc4BHreeVLZCOP_sMsWPLd1Du4VfJnB51Zj9ppHLtpOB0PDB_2yU_gINEoOa0pOLc2e3PfL8/s320/DSCN3864.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357468032377829410" /></a>On the days that we didn't make flights we would venture to the Commissary to pick up supplies for camping at the terminal the next day. No parent should ever travel without a good supply of snacks, and since we were flying Space A we could have forbidden things on board, such as vegetables and cheese, so long as it was eaten or disposed of before we landed. I dare say we ate like royalty for a few days due to some creative planning and the USO microwave.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, after being on what we referred to as The Surface of the Sun for almost five days we lucked into a plane that was headed for Elmendorf, Alaska, which not a lot of people were willing to take, but which we found out was going through to Charleston, SC. Usually we wouldn't have been able to get to the East Coast, but Alaska is considered "overseas" for military purposes, which entitled us to one connecting flight to the Lower 48, and this was the only one. Good enough for us!<br /><br /></div></div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-65902081730478887622009-07-11T07:17:00.007+09:002009-07-11T07:49:49.514+09:00The Three Hour TourI finally returned home last night from taking The Kid to the States for the Summer. It is now and will forever be referred to as my Three Hour Tour. No where in the planning process did I ever expect to be gone for almost three weeks! While I am recovering I thought I would do some Travel Blogging about the trip, because at the end of the day there were a lot of fun parts.<div><br /></div><div>We set off on a Tuesday (I am mostly sure...LOL) from Osan. We missed the first flight out, so we had some time to kill before the next one left. I learned an awful lot about Space Available travel for Military members and dependents, which I am compiling both for future reference and also for a travel magazine that I sometimes contribute to.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had lots of time to just goof around:</div><div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu7ebx-YlFMVNKxFlDrjHWI1kwodBk-Uv07rcjFfxDVi7q4CceI4sHHkOdyjxytalFW-Yfpb5NN15fRx1cCfUOijkD4elzMi5uruEEAtmThOG5qIaNwsTMlMaVqe3rwNB3wjLPiR8Ykw/s1600-h/DSCN3765.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu7ebx-YlFMVNKxFlDrjHWI1kwodBk-Uv07rcjFfxDVi7q4CceI4sHHkOdyjxytalFW-Yfpb5NN15fRx1cCfUOijkD4elzMi5uruEEAtmThOG5qIaNwsTMlMaVqe3rwNB3wjLPiR8Ykw/s320/DSCN3765.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356961655484477074" /></a>I mean, are you ever too busy to goof around with bug shield sunglasses? I think NOT!<div><br /></div><div>It was actually a good thing because we had forgotten a few things like toothbrushes (but who needs those?) and lotion (which I can not live without).</div><div><br /></div><div>We also had time for a nice sit down meal and viewing (and goofing around with) cars for sale on the BX lot.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsQ87wNmFsgMsHI9tBFh1h481UqQ3aZypU-Sy4IaRzH1_jnbXnJ61FTxiJ_UJ_BIcBuMeF2-4uybu7nd8VSOcRAlsHtJaqnorf-tUq7x1ZEOF-TApm7usCJq2t6fE-4hMo_HC8ma78B8/s1600-h/DSCN3766.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsQ87wNmFsgMsHI9tBFh1h481UqQ3aZypU-Sy4IaRzH1_jnbXnJ61FTxiJ_UJ_BIcBuMeF2-4uybu7nd8VSOcRAlsHtJaqnorf-tUq7x1ZEOF-TApm7usCJq2t6fE-4hMo_HC8ma78B8/s320/DSCN3766.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356963405439575634" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I don't quite think so, missy. LOL.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, that cat...</div><div><br /></div><div>We had Kid's bags all packed, including a bear he bought her when she was sick earlier this year, and by the door and when we got back from picking up our travel documents from The Guy's command The Guy ran up to get all of our stuff. Somehow the bear never made it out the door and she was crushed because she wanted something to hug when she missed him. He ended up surprising her with this cat at the BX, whom she named Starshine (after <a href="http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots.html">Haley</a>). We now have a bit of a joke that it is in fact an angry kitteh, because...well it seems to have a constant scowl on it's fluffy face.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2nXqhfcsXLqZ61sS53Cn0pBuLXxLf2v92GVEodU7bmcSZyPTULm98IG-dJjTwcw1JpiU3EteGYc_MqfJxvVIOaxZq-ZF_RFrS2S-Ry4DEtuWZo4VNcRiGf5os9QtluFXobI6YxfoE3c/s1600-h/DSCN3767.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2nXqhfcsXLqZ61sS53Cn0pBuLXxLf2v92GVEodU7bmcSZyPTULm98IG-dJjTwcw1JpiU3EteGYc_MqfJxvVIOaxZq-ZF_RFrS2S-Ry4DEtuWZo4VNcRiGf5os9QtluFXobI6YxfoE3c/s320/DSCN3767.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356964839510237602" /></a><br />The Guy dropped us off to wait for our flight to Kadena AFB on Okinawa. One thing that amazes me when traveling is the seemingly magical camaraderie among children in airports and hotels. They seem to find a way to quickly become the best of friends during even the shortest stints. Kid played with these kids in the passenger terminal and on the plane to Kadena, then said good bye cheerfully as we met a boy and his mother trying to get to the same place we were going.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirurlMlsT5CE2LWRImhZ0YBJERqEb6OTGTjlnXln0oWqkCHFFDecSYi6_L_nepy_ePBizaSP4aNPMFryG9AOmT8WJjmVmYm5DW2e4qrAqXXUhPfaDN2P2JCUStPyDssGVJm6LbjdTJ3ns/s1600-h/DSCN3770.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirurlMlsT5CE2LWRImhZ0YBJERqEb6OTGTjlnXln0oWqkCHFFDecSYi6_L_nepy_ePBizaSP4aNPMFryG9AOmT8WJjmVmYm5DW2e4qrAqXXUhPfaDN2P2JCUStPyDssGVJm6LbjdTJ3ns/s320/DSCN3770.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356966464840236322" /></a>We were able to travel about with them for the few days that we were in Okinawa.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will probably stretch this out over a few days, to kind of give you the torturous feeling of how long we were in limbo. LOL.</div><div><br /></div><div>If anyone of my military friends are considering traveling by Space A please contact me first. I have a ton of info that will make your trip a lot easier!</div><div><br /></div><div>That's all for now!</div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-53423969804128510462009-06-21T13:19:00.000+09:002009-06-21T13:21:03.825+09:00Happy Solstice!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXyf7FvrMX1S-PLt7jE41BfL6zSFSaCLqICz4JH1bwdMfhdCJ1k3g45UOe1AqK_KBmm3tFCm2VTc3on0dFrKm2-UpShRes8XNmsIyXyT8Ds7bMkamjvXpN3m6d9YTHH4zkbU8BYUh4z4/s1600-h/solstice71.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXyf7FvrMX1S-PLt7jE41BfL6zSFSaCLqICz4JH1bwdMfhdCJ1k3g45UOe1AqK_KBmm3tFCm2VTc3on0dFrKm2-UpShRes8XNmsIyXyT8Ds7bMkamjvXpN3m6d9YTHH4zkbU8BYUh4z4/s320/solstice71.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349631023138749826" /></a>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-33155007901736740712009-06-21T13:02:00.002+09:002009-06-21T13:08:12.489+09:00Give your dad an extra hug for me...The Kid will be making her calls later when the hour is more appropriate and the date matches. We have a covert plan between us to surprise The Guy as well.<div><br /></div><div>And I miss my dad.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not a year goes by that I don't choke up a little because some part of me forgets and I get this urge to call him and tell him all about everything and wish him Happy Father's Day. It's been a hard day for me to get on board with for years now. I am actually choking up a bit right now as I am typing this. Father's Day always falls right before the anniversary of his passing, so it's like a double sting.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't even have a picture to put up here of us together. I have only two pictures total, and in one I was only four months old.</div><div><br /></div><div>Be sure to give yours a call if you can. A hug would be better if you are able. Take pictures and share them.</div><div><br /></div><div>And, Happy Father's Day, Daddy. I miss you so much.</div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-67004310398985945522009-06-17T18:26:00.006+09:002009-06-18T09:53:43.648+09:00Yellow Belt!<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eBcxG7UYE8s&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eBcxG7UYE8s&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><div><br /></div><div>The Kid took the test to earn her yellow belt today. She has worked incredibly hard these past weeks and was over the moon that she was able to test before we leave for the States. We have made arrangements for her to continue to study while she is in Missouri this summer. She will get the actual belt and a certificate on Friday, which will be her last session with Master Kim until she comes back in August.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My apologies for the "Shaky-Cam". With this medical nonsense plaguing me this past month I have had the shakes something fierce at times, and today was one of those times. Also, the boy that is testing along side of her is kind of a goober, and isn't as disciplined, so he flails about when he should be paying attention, and I wasn't able to get a clear shot of Kid without him in it.</div><div><br /></div><div>She has done incredibly well, and Master Kim has complimented her on the sticking of her forms, how they are mostly very clean and snappy, noting that some of his black belts get lazy and that she has made them look bad. He also said that she is way too nice when sparring, so she needs to get a little more aggressive and be willing to kick other people, and defend herself more (so she doesn't take a crotch shot like she did here).</div><div><br /></div><div>Regardless of all of that, we are pretty proud of her work, and wanted to share so that you could all be proud of her too! Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div>I tried to load this using blogger...but after hours of trying to upload it the video never loaded. Wev. You get YouTube. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-79474082003935250332009-06-17T14:30:00.006+09:002009-06-17T14:50:49.423+09:00Anatomy of a Breakfast<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNut_z-gd85xNY6scsZxcXMiRGkv7B61n8zrERIB5wuOrFfQC3r_6vZd-tuiaUSonqDVpGb_9S0qhxdhvY5XXcdXegHjVJaTy1ghpwd-Q-_mLHq77ns5y2iC09dWAYwNkEBSO2ZWIFgag/s1600-h/DSCN3717.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNut_z-gd85xNY6scsZxcXMiRGkv7B61n8zrERIB5wuOrFfQC3r_6vZd-tuiaUSonqDVpGb_9S0qhxdhvY5XXcdXegHjVJaTy1ghpwd-Q-_mLHq77ns5y2iC09dWAYwNkEBSO2ZWIFgag/s320/DSCN3717.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348168665732268258" /></a>Around this house we love oatmeal. There is, however, a huge difference in the quick cook kind and the super yummy steel cut Irish Oatmeal, the latter being our favorite, and quite a bit better for you. But it truly does take a long time to cook, so here is a big hint if you want to enjoy the best breakfast porridge* ever!<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Soak it!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Measure out the oats and water the night before and leave it to soak over night at room temperature. This shaves more than half an hour from the cooking time (and I have found from the clean up time, because it doesn't stick to the pot as badly since you don't have to cook it as long). Don't worry if you make extra, because I have a solution for leftover oatmeal that I will share soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>This time I also used a well pre-heated skillet and toasted some raw almonds. After they cooled I put them in a re-sealable bag and crushed them with the bottom of a skillet. I tossed those on top with some Craisins. A little Silk soy milk and a touch of brown sugar and cinnamon and it was perfect! Best breakfast ever! I can't really back that up, as I tend to make some pretty mean breakfast creations...but it is definitely one of our favorites!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvEGDdYi0aaAr-NdDfEW1q8hYhse9XgO8e36_ys1Pe9iR8S62sMpeFHfkIQ2gRD1DS8o8kbQ6rCoVRgosjyzzpJb3K7eeBbLypodar7GCSjwEtAe5oHqSPLHietJCMiesg3kWjvs3tJk/s1600-h/DSCN3719.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvEGDdYi0aaAr-NdDfEW1q8hYhse9XgO8e36_ys1Pe9iR8S62sMpeFHfkIQ2gRD1DS8o8kbQ6rCoVRgosjyzzpJb3K7eeBbLypodar7GCSjwEtAe5oHqSPLHietJCMiesg3kWjvs3tJk/s320/DSCN3719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348167926292712306" /></a><div>Also, two days ago our landlord brought us this beautiful box of hand made rice cakes to celebrate their baby's 100th day of life. They were beautiful and tasty, with a sesame seed filling. We really have a wonderful landlord, and are hoping to repay his kindness as soon as we have out home unpacked and cleaned. Maybe I will learn how to make these while we are here!</div><div><br /></div><div>Malama Pono!</div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-33539531228271013092009-06-17T13:35:00.003+09:002009-06-17T14:29:26.762+09:00I have the best family!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0KiUJnWANUIzQ6FFQRtybgUi7VJTWb88xiFIOpWhOtB6jpIiE4XsbY5l98R7O6wv43ntOPHdYJrnKnSx6yeaHffsVDCWNTV0eabGqZ39BINAVHWUOyhOtdYa8iDuOYccawkcnjNBnlY/s1600-h/DSCN3715.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0KiUJnWANUIzQ6FFQRtybgUi7VJTWb88xiFIOpWhOtB6jpIiE4XsbY5l98R7O6wv43ntOPHdYJrnKnSx6yeaHffsVDCWNTV0eabGqZ39BINAVHWUOyhOtdYa8iDuOYccawkcnjNBnlY/s320/DSCN3715.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348152427351274018" /></a>I have been extremely ill lately, and it has been trying with all of the things we have going on right now. It has put off our trip to the States by about a week, and has severely hampered my ability to get more unpacking done, let alone keep up with the day to day of cleaning our place from just living in it. Occasionally I am hit with a day of feeling decent, and we are trying to use that time to get out and enjoy Korea and friends before The Kid goes to the States for the remainder of the summer.<div><br /></div><div>I do, however have the best family, because when The Guy is home he and The Kid have happily picked up the slack of having me all but incapacitated, and did a bunch of much needed cleaning. I am so lucky and truly blessed to have a husband who not only doesn't mind, but sees it as just as much his job to help out around the house. This includes getting things done when I can't.</div><div><br /></div><div>While I have been able to find energy and have had bits of time where I can putter around putting things away they have kept up with long overdue chores. Kid happily jumped in to help him scrub the bathroom floors and toilets, and did the sinks all by herself (which we leave for her regular weekly chores, because she is really bad at rinsing her toothpaste out of them daily). I don't think I have ever mentioned how much I love our Korean bathrooms, because the door way is raised about four to six inches and the shower wall is elevated, which allows the water to run all over the floor. It makes cleaning easy, because all we have to do is use the shower head to spray it down, and we don't have to worry about water spilling onto the wood floors of the rest of the house. You just have to scrub and work the water back to the drain. Who knew Kid would love scrubbing floors so much (or being sprayed with the shower while she was doing it)!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks, you two! Things are starting to fall into place here, and now that we have our stuff it is starting to look like not only a home, but our home.</div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-87704116289941498312009-06-14T04:52:00.000+09:002009-06-17T14:30:13.642+09:00Hand Fasted and Heart Joined<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvKMBc2gvCEV9kM6Dm3KlolieUhOuSOyRk930lFlmrEe5SKBHC4UpF9X_jWnJxMyTjpcrEueRBxa3meqv5jFf9T9ENKlHqmtersxtpmtZvWhKLq_gCWRKYZ6-0bz7m5qSegjSiOp7UjY/s1600-h/DSC00458.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvKMBc2gvCEV9kM6Dm3KlolieUhOuSOyRk930lFlmrEe5SKBHC4UpF9X_jWnJxMyTjpcrEueRBxa3meqv5jFf9T9ENKlHqmtersxtpmtZvWhKLq_gCWRKYZ6-0bz7m5qSegjSiOp7UjY/s320/DSC00458.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346531643718300546" /></a><br /><div>Happy Anniversary, Love!</div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-85079156717463119142009-06-02T15:05:00.004+09:002009-06-02T15:09:40.568+09:00Things I Love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLnhMcoYS9Zu2k6PQn900vH4aGLcXMwkuwVYSuqhzKQXcPMyGDnPnY5dhIpKFwlKcIC1-TlRIBpT9KwhhodLnkLLlHjDPirMRmOiwlfkQSgHdtQJJw_SUds6d5QTLikGUPtBeJrUbWAY/s1600-h/DSCN3703.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLnhMcoYS9Zu2k6PQn900vH4aGLcXMwkuwVYSuqhzKQXcPMyGDnPnY5dhIpKFwlKcIC1-TlRIBpT9KwhhodLnkLLlHjDPirMRmOiwlfkQSgHdtQJJw_SUds6d5QTLikGUPtBeJrUbWAY/s320/DSCN3703.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342607917088500562" /></a>Thunderstorms.<div><br /></div><div>It is a little after 1500 and it looks like late evening.</div><div><br /></div><div>It takes me back to summers on the lake at Grammy's when the lake would get so calm that it looked like glass just before a big knife of lightening would slash open the purple sky and the rain would come pouring down.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hear the rainy season is coming early this year. I haven't seen a good thunderstorm in about 4-5 years.</div><div>Bring it. :)</div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-83357669010525843522009-05-30T13:24:00.004+09:002009-05-30T13:38:48.385+09:00Tae Kwon Do<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGGie51IXR02mm3oJHY8Y-FJBPcwpQUU54ZgLSVWH2BXCIna2YKif-M2rcxmi3EhT2_rpyuuzlmlZaA9UW_dymybYdZfOocrjZ-2NJPjbw0Y_j18W81xf1smBkAWm3ZECp-aTlnAyFCQ/s1600-h/DSCN3684.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGGie51IXR02mm3oJHY8Y-FJBPcwpQUU54ZgLSVWH2BXCIna2YKif-M2rcxmi3EhT2_rpyuuzlmlZaA9UW_dymybYdZfOocrjZ-2NJPjbw0Y_j18W81xf1smBkAWm3ZECp-aTlnAyFCQ/s200/DSCN3684.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341471091525010130" /></a>The Kid has been participating in Tae Kwon Do for some time now. I am not certain that she realized how physically demanding it was when she first wanted to join. She came home exhausted, ready to shower and go to bed immediately, not wanting to stay awake for even dinner. We helped her tough it out through dinner those first nights, and as time has gone on she has gotten used to it. She has gone back to every class as excited as the first time.<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOkznoYTcRrilyGfQhvzT8yrTgzU3AQSwzBuf5IGsXBA1wvhVnOahxHN9QfP5J_5fq0A_J6TJMj2LlwDIN5pLmPFSxMn8bBvhVJa-FmfF1mrRoF8tNpugiNrfkhPwOY-6malVKNrKgIs/s1600-h/DSCN3686.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOkznoYTcRrilyGfQhvzT8yrTgzU3AQSwzBuf5IGsXBA1wvhVnOahxHN9QfP5J_5fq0A_J6TJMj2LlwDIN5pLmPFSxMn8bBvhVJa-FmfF1mrRoF8tNpugiNrfkhPwOY-6malVKNrKgIs/s200/DSCN3686.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341471583559272306" /></a><div>She is getting her basic forms down, little at a time, and she is visibly improving. We are pretty sure that she is enjoying this more than she did Hula or Ballet, which she was ready to quit after a month. She even asked that I try to find a place where she could still train over the summer in Missouri so that she won't be behind when she comes back in August.</div><div><br /></div><div>In other news, our household goods have arrived in Country! A full three weeks ahead of schedule! Yay! They will be delivering them this coming week! Just in time to give us added chaos to The Kid and I trying to leave for The States in the next couple of weeks. Wheeeee!</div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-78926289345402279892009-05-23T18:25:00.012+09:002009-05-23T19:19:38.583+09:00Anatomy of a DinnerLasagna!<div><br /></div><div>Totally not hard to make at all, yet it comes off as a special occasion/for entertaining meal. I use it as such b/c of how easy it is to do (it can be accommodated to be more or less difficult) and it leaves us gobs more time to do other things. I have a few altered recipes where I use boiled noodles and roll the filling into individual noodles, but that is a little time consuming. I actually know people who are afraid to make their own homemade red sauce let alone attempt a lasagna. I praise my good Italian upbringing for my "it's too easy" mindset. Depending on how you tailor it it can be really inexpensive, too. We have the privilege of Commissary shopping, so even pre-shredded bags of cheese are around $2.00 for plenty.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can start a day ahead if you wish, which I often do. I will make a huge batch of sauce and use it for two or three meals (and lasagna and pasta make great leftovers for work lunches or leftover nights). I can't understand why people insist on using store bought jarred sauce, b/c it doesn't really take that much more time to make and it is tons cheaper. If you grow and can your own tomatoes it is cheaper still (which I am hoping to do this fall).</div><div><br /></div><div>Red Sauce:</div><div><br /></div><div>In a large, deep pre-heated skillet (like a big cast iron or stainless) rim the pan about three times w/ EVOO. I like to toss two bay leaves into the heating oil. You can either smash and mince about 2-3 cloves of garlic or use the pre-minced stuff. Finely chop 1/3-1/2 of an onion (I use white or shallots, but Maui Sweets, Walla Wallas, Spanish Yellows all work just as well) and toss into the hot oil. If you are using fresh garlic put them in together so that you don't scorch the garlic. Cook the onions down nicely. This is a great time to grate in some carrot or some zucchini, which add nice natural sugars to cut the acidity instead of resorting to using white sugar (which I consider a Mortal Sin). It's also a nice sneaky way to get extra vegetables in there.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want a meat sauce add the meat now. For lasagna, if I am making a meat one, I use a tube of port sausage and 1/4 - 1/2 pound ground beef. It makes the sauce thick and hearty. I leave it out a lot too and will fill the lasagna w/ either lots of mushrooms or thawed, rinsed chopped spinach. Thin slices of vegetable, like peppers, zucchini, and yellow squash layered in make a great pie as well.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFUuS-QWeqsMuQm2xLhuHt0ejq_ltjY9OrtRZksN7wOMAkqNt6CYIU8JquWYv4R3R6_WcwZ5E_-huA8uG3MP0DDzjZ2zUDIhbgMgoxXB2al8CdHXaDIuJQzRp3IX2HsP5Dq0EjDatcsI/s1600-h/DSCN3683.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFUuS-QWeqsMuQm2xLhuHt0ejq_ltjY9OrtRZksN7wOMAkqNt6CYIU8JquWYv4R3R6_WcwZ5E_-huA8uG3MP0DDzjZ2zUDIhbgMgoxXB2al8CdHXaDIuJQzRp3IX2HsP5Dq0EjDatcsI/s320/DSCN3683.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338954559923029954" /></a><div>When the onions are cooked down or the meat fully browned is the time to add a large can of pureed tomatoes (a 29-32 ounce can) or crushed tomatoes. This will cook the meat bits off of the bottom of the pan. If you like chunky sauce add a can of diced tomatoes now and simmer. Season after every step w/ salt, pepper and your choice of herbs. The Guy is a huge fan of oregano, and I like a mixture of rosemary, crushed red pepper sage and thyme (I also sometimes make a "Scarborough Fair" sauce...LOL). Something I fell in love w/ here in Korea is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gochujang">gochujang</a> and I will drop a spoonful of that into the simmering sauce. It's great and you should not be afraid of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Turn this to simmer w/ a lid on it and fagettaboutit!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSD0aAtGE9ikKpYmNKo_Mz5ECUcfXIOpX3Lyl_ZTkRYbWb6MGy-gJRK8iFWa0ComotaV80eX-Zb1NjeFPxp4L5WYf-o90bMifpWgmSwEnHJ-7qGIQTje5qo35rYRdQhufEkNVMwcoiaU/s1600-h/DSCN3682.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSD0aAtGE9ikKpYmNKo_Mz5ECUcfXIOpX3Lyl_ZTkRYbWb6MGy-gJRK8iFWa0ComotaV80eX-Zb1NjeFPxp4L5WYf-o90bMifpWgmSwEnHJ-7qGIQTje5qo35rYRdQhufEkNVMwcoiaU/s320/DSCN3682.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338955717759237602" /></a><div>In a mixing bowl combine a carton of ricotta cheese w/ a large handful of mozzarella and a smaller handful of parmesan. Most recipes also call for an egg, but I am anti egg and have never noticed that it makes a difference to anything I have had elsewhere. Smash this together w/ a spoon. This is something else you can do a day before and refrigerate if you want.</div><div><br /></div><div>The assembly is the last part, and you should preheat your oven to about 375 (which is just under the 200 mark on my Korean oven! Yay!) while you assemble. Assembly is different depending on the pan you use, and normally I use a DeMarle baking form, which you layer upside down (mozzarella cheese, sauce, noodles; ricotta mixture, sauce, noodles; ricotta mixture, mozzarella, sauce, noodles; ricotta mixture, noodles, sauce) and turn out onto a plate, but we only have our Pyrex that we had to get since our stuff isn't here yet.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NJUJpZdo8JUK8CMLa-zTqTj-PhKeIpVAWU59SOvVlvD9y2xqNUXEMA6QFNL8BFD5GQdnfNRYyGJO7ftoXOB9gl9cXooRSpxdyqUNyHuywM5z69G9bdV99tfJVYn_U4nl2v8ToM6wDYs/s1600-h/DSCN3672.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NJUJpZdo8JUK8CMLa-zTqTj-PhKeIpVAWU59SOvVlvD9y2xqNUXEMA6QFNL8BFD5GQdnfNRYyGJO7ftoXOB9gl9cXooRSpxdyqUNyHuywM5z69G9bdV99tfJVYn_U4nl2v8ToM6wDYs/s320/DSCN3672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338957764876660866" /></a><div>I have fallen in love w/ the no boil noodles which are flat like the hand made traditional ones, but use whatever you have available. In a glass dish layer it so: sauce, noodles, 1/3 ricotta mixture, a sprinkling of mozzarella, sauce; noodles, 1/3 ricotta mixture, sauce; noodles, last of ricotta mixture, sauce; noodles, sauce, mozzarella (and throw some parm on there for good measure! CHEESE!). If you don't have foil to cover this for baking leave the cheese off until the last 15 minutes or so of baking, then broil for about 2-3 at the end. If you do, slap that puppy in for about 45-50 minutes covered, and remove foil and broil for 2-3 minutes.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQHcZMvO9RpgWyM2H-FZqGNkGZn056epzJvZSdzDJdmAyO-_DQQZDklak-6gD2Irla1QHbuXKL2-CdIz_L_QvaynOuanVehtFlUeH_vRvhI6iwc8OZo4cPaOP3oXBzhvxMDznCbx2wDM/s1600-h/DSCN3677.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQHcZMvO9RpgWyM2H-FZqGNkGZn056epzJvZSdzDJdmAyO-_DQQZDklak-6gD2Irla1QHbuXKL2-CdIz_L_QvaynOuanVehtFlUeH_vRvhI6iwc8OZo4cPaOP3oXBzhvxMDznCbx2wDM/s320/DSCN3677.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338959739638046514" /></a>This is one that I didn't have enough sauce for and just used a can of diced tomatoes on top, seasoned them and baked uncovered for about 30 minutes before adding the cheese.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_bSuflZeNPPU30FQy5ne7OesUdIGQGolvl1eN04pXjEri8FupvMXWZ9BWyO98ocK3dj69Aq9pFCAZ-qsatxLgG82e0vLj6QAd5M_KNR578lKf9a-P-UESNJkgm3nquFEvKB19BewZq8/s1600-h/DSCN3675.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_bSuflZeNPPU30FQy5ne7OesUdIGQGolvl1eN04pXjEri8FupvMXWZ9BWyO98ocK3dj69Aq9pFCAZ-qsatxLgG82e0vLj6QAd5M_KNR578lKf9a-P-UESNJkgm3nquFEvKB19BewZq8/s320/DSCN3675.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338961034445750450" /></a><div>The bay leaf! You know what that means!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2d7rHJKdtxHbi9ncEQ6Hom8aw8j-_2pSyS1T7ipdTM62nN9cSYu3BZKCTXKS1LdEEHlKVl2pau59ICtaLejGBBnmcYyFDGNnSGBoTLxYDWUJ-7_3PnqSmsjUtNo_dnCsmEMjiOlRqAQ/s1600-h/DSCN3678.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2d7rHJKdtxHbi9ncEQ6Hom8aw8j-_2pSyS1T7ipdTM62nN9cSYu3BZKCTXKS1LdEEHlKVl2pau59ICtaLejGBBnmcYyFDGNnSGBoTLxYDWUJ-7_3PnqSmsjUtNo_dnCsmEMjiOlRqAQ/s320/DSCN3678.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338961293904737394" /></a><div>All pretty and browned!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShsEMMDWprHcUo0m9WgOoZrP_2mPBT18CwX1q_iu5lc0iIfa_83VGxtPTWF4IZ-d1UC0D-8v9JDGPCjF8vpAW6TE-baIH6rmhMT4yAqOGWiJshJfo9E03pOsWsIm5gZUDzuFBEoxHxao/s1600-h/DSCN3679.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShsEMMDWprHcUo0m9WgOoZrP_2mPBT18CwX1q_iu5lc0iIfa_83VGxtPTWF4IZ-d1UC0D-8v9JDGPCjF8vpAW6TE-baIH6rmhMT4yAqOGWiJshJfo9E03pOsWsIm5gZUDzuFBEoxHxao/s320/DSCN3679.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338961518315830642" /></a><div>Yum!</div><div>Enjoy!</div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-75849271412000271722009-05-23T17:07:00.003+09:002009-05-23T17:11:23.780+09:00We have sprout babies!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CcyJfO2QnRXPPX_HLWtl6Ut8L5iNl8jKMWdBbrVPUe2j3uxhoXdMKqARKr7qbF6FJ78sJEEXrCY033bHY2aumgrshjWHckUoo8QAffYnVEhO06Q58CuI1wcwXVk2V-AZWZkIL4KyfLU/s1600-h/DSCN3680.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CcyJfO2QnRXPPX_HLWtl6Ut8L5iNl8jKMWdBbrVPUe2j3uxhoXdMKqARKr7qbF6FJ78sJEEXrCY033bHY2aumgrshjWHckUoo8QAffYnVEhO06Q58CuI1wcwXVk2V-AZWZkIL4KyfLU/s400/DSCN3680.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338928902326317282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0Eo1yIowQBWgq-bWyNgAoC0zce-SRn3Kawp-H4Iepw6iLPCrG37agMFPFEDmLfcYQIILXGfSNJm8DBpEu6mCaCNqY_tcgKLPNAIUyrTqzMp-Ly4HSo0TWCnyzmTSjyoKzwTBacfCdcM/s1600-h/DSCN3680.JPG"><br /></a>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-2491523223556954142009-05-15T11:56:00.007+09:002009-05-15T12:27:35.932+09:00Greenin' My ThumbThe building that we live in has a great roof access. Since we are the only permanent tenants in our building (the Landlord lives upstairs, but is in the States on business all the time, and the downstairs unit is 'long term leased' to a Japanese company) the Landlord has given us permission to use it freely. One of the things we decided to do w/ this space is to try our hand at a small garden. <div><br /></div><div>I haven't even had a successful garden, either b/c I haven't had proper space, or b/c I had no idea what I was doing (and no guidance from Al Gore). The last time I tried to grow an herb garden I killed most of the seedlings trying to transplant them. So we found a tray that comes w/ individual peat tablets for starting seeds.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01DUZfRYO4D8ILQCS_YFQj2opMeMXx20QJH_ZvooVEWfsJGZt7zEhhyphenhyphen9vWlx-x7dAJtMwTf9T4aJRQXvrJv_h01sjpzazmilYIYNflQsCK-UuaMSDj_0XyJG7fxSlxgWrjidMWUhbNKM/s1600-h/DSCN3663.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01DUZfRYO4D8ILQCS_YFQj2opMeMXx20QJH_ZvooVEWfsJGZt7zEhhyphenhyphen9vWlx-x7dAJtMwTf9T4aJRQXvrJv_h01sjpzazmilYIYNflQsCK-UuaMSDj_0XyJG7fxSlxgWrjidMWUhbNKM/s200/DSCN3663.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335882294300586562" /></a>All we had to do to start was soak the pellets in warm water long enough to play a game of <a href="http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/24157">Order of the Stick</a> (well, the first dungeon level, that is). Once they were full sized we tore the netting back from the top and planted our seeds.<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJop1Jao7iEEDyFRdhCcfxAPDi77tbWcftTzvmV6IQKWRLie5eq9nfiFgJ9spRMmHaQ6CvWiiEMWYbxqAr4pgqZCc3pUcMjOurABPRbQmqp5dFi1OSCax6FOLdYsBchd-opQOG_xMHVPw/s1600-h/DSCN3665.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJop1Jao7iEEDyFRdhCcfxAPDi77tbWcftTzvmV6IQKWRLie5eq9nfiFgJ9spRMmHaQ6CvWiiEMWYbxqAr4pgqZCc3pUcMjOurABPRbQmqp5dFi1OSCax6FOLdYsBchd-opQOG_xMHVPw/s200/DSCN3665.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335884213965527090" /></a><br /><div>We decided on two types of tomatoes, parsley, thyme, and lavender (for drying!). I am still looking for some basil (the only thing I have successfully grown and used ever), which grows so fast I am not worried about the time.</div><div><br />Oh, yes, and one lima bean, that The Kid brought home from school. This will be a science project for her so she can track its growth. She did this in Kindergarten at Ho'ala, but I have already established that this school is a little behind her old one.<br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUQ9vyCt3Mg90kgeHf9H9zdrHaDXIPFzFzOXruwTUWUahL6zYrYD6vYqrSMKO901AtxlyPp0wfLzmTQY7vPiy5_73hyphenhyphen3dyaGnkMCeNSJ79wYtikScLc3Z2dUS6UayidZNp6xyhBGxhLU/s1600-h/DSCN3669.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUQ9vyCt3Mg90kgeHf9H9zdrHaDXIPFzFzOXruwTUWUahL6zYrYD6vYqrSMKO901AtxlyPp0wfLzmTQY7vPiy5_73hyphenhyphen3dyaGnkMCeNSJ79wYtikScLc3Z2dUS6UayidZNp6xyhBGxhLU/s200/DSCN3669.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335884596210635522" /></a>The seedlings will be individually wrapped when it is time to transplant them, and should keep me from tearing their roots apart this time.<div><br /></div><div>Until they are ready for the big world they will be living in our laundry room, on top of the Hauzen, which is the best place for them.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakOmf65Dgqi0HyQXzVcDc4vpyF4pI8SAaY78rHy5nzcGAV-iKZnmc1C38XujWlaDaXkP9PGMl4HNM8QrTLawqgIZJMIGfMuH_NlBSyS02CNwjtBZYocIaUDkK6Zb_3Ghj2VStp3A3dcU/s1600-h/DSCN3668.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakOmf65Dgqi0HyQXzVcDc4vpyF4pI8SAaY78rHy5nzcGAV-iKZnmc1C38XujWlaDaXkP9PGMl4HNM8QrTLawqgIZJMIGfMuH_NlBSyS02CNwjtBZYocIaUDkK6Zb_3Ghj2VStp3A3dcU/s200/DSCN3668.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335886735843726402" /></a><div>I saw a tomato planter a while back that grows the plants upside down so they don't bruise and allows you to grow herbs on top to save space. We are going to see if we can replicate one for the roof. I have seen a few <a href="http://www.curbly.com/DIY-Maven/posts/1620-how-to-make-an-upside-down-tomato-planter">simpler</a> <a href="http://www.upsidedowntomatoplant.com/">examples</a> online, and most of them are really inexpensive to make. We don't have a place to hang them, so I am going to try to fix up a stand. This should keep me busy until our stuff gets here, w/ my crafting and scrapping supplies! Wish me luck!</div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-38645861525336024322009-05-07T20:13:00.008+09:002009-05-07T20:37:31.573+09:00Anatomy of a DinnerRemember that <a href="http://blessedandcursedandwon.blogspot.com/2009/05/as-matter-of-fact.html">Chicken Soup</a> I told you about?<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7txD5kRYnTlgH8ONrafmVqOGsulgSHjWno6-SBHKHOERFEvAf6Hrcp2wmuutDVNCRYocPrRHR-n39aoef6SoltIkoRSR8pS9Ty1hKGzQ2aA31K1WzUMRz3Jjmu_puGekyICeh8QKGCY/s1600-h/DSCN3654.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7txD5kRYnTlgH8ONrafmVqOGsulgSHjWno6-SBHKHOERFEvAf6Hrcp2wmuutDVNCRYocPrRHR-n39aoef6SoltIkoRSR8pS9Ty1hKGzQ2aA31K1WzUMRz3Jjmu_puGekyICeh8QKGCY/s200/DSCN3654.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333039337491109570" /></a></div><div>It made a magical transformation into Chicken and Dumplings tonight!</div><div><br /></div><div>It started w/ the soup, which we had added an extra breast to, being reheated in the pot. B/c I will add dumplings to it I added about two extra cups of water and a small amount of Better than Bouillon. It didn't need much, but I wanted to make sure I had enough liquid to properly steam all the dumplings. I had already shredded and chunked the new chicken and made sure that the whole pot came back up to temperature. When changing it to Chicken and Dumplings I like to add a heavy dose of cracked pepper, but it's totally a "to taste" thing.</div><div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2stmphsSSobPeHnhgwMoR3p0c_LoywtnQZujBLsCAY4Bmia26EXwzUcqO0gqRwaSipxfL_C_PwsFoOARjoCkxfSf8YOQ_OzP97QcMx8Nd84hUdRSxhQJtQt1qmVVqj1xVCbqdkOTM3g/s1600-h/DSCN3655.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2stmphsSSobPeHnhgwMoR3p0c_LoywtnQZujBLsCAY4Bmia26EXwzUcqO0gqRwaSipxfL_C_PwsFoOARjoCkxfSf8YOQ_OzP97QcMx8Nd84hUdRSxhQJtQt1qmVVqj1xVCbqdkOTM3g/s200/DSCN3655.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333040223795926770" /></a><br /></div><div>I always keep a box of baking mix on hand. In Hawai'i I couldn't find my favorite, so I used Bisquick, but guess what? They have Michigan's favorite here! A single batch of dumplings will need 2 C of mix and 2/3 C of milk. The batter should be lumpy and thick, but not dry. Wetter than biscuit dough.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOpqKnTXFl1DmszTZ_yD_YvHXH_S7-8rLO4h4HpW46rGTPboxneCy7RRsQdumHRg0-aTc1PSLV_zx0jbxcED9WCpH-5j1umpiXQl04Q8AzMWCh-S4IsQ7yEaVg5y1hXNzZmjbId3tIX4/s1600-h/DSCN3657.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOpqKnTXFl1DmszTZ_yD_YvHXH_S7-8rLO4h4HpW46rGTPboxneCy7RRsQdumHRg0-aTc1PSLV_zx0jbxcED9WCpH-5j1umpiXQl04Q8AzMWCh-S4IsQ7yEaVg5y1hXNzZmjbId3tIX4/s200/DSCN3657.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333041093252956498" /></a><br /></div><div>When the soup is fully cooked and boiling spoon the dumpling mix on top of the soup in a ring w/ one in the center. They will expand and join slightly. You need to make sure that you have enough liquid to prevent it all from thickening and cooking away, which will burn the chicken to the bottom, but you also need to be able to get the lid on the pot. Boil w/ dumplings uncovered for about 7 minutes, and then cover the pot and boil for about 7-10 more. You can turn it down to simmer at this point if you like.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4vtnq1PYExVW6X4L_fyErZ-6Oh5yrMweldTiJhjmxXy7snMAGWxYJS5MOAWgZrTLpn6J-bk8E1Cxd0yEI6TqBEYZ1gvsQG-Tg27iHw21cQnriIJC58glINyafR6c2auYZrm13kOjQSU/s1600-h/DSCN3658.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4vtnq1PYExVW6X4L_fyErZ-6Oh5yrMweldTiJhjmxXy7snMAGWxYJS5MOAWgZrTLpn6J-bk8E1Cxd0yEI6TqBEYZ1gvsQG-Tg27iHw21cQnriIJC58glINyafR6c2auYZrm13kOjQSU/s200/DSCN3658.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333042225424394386" /></a><br /></div><div>While the dumplings are cooking I sliced up a Korean pear (they are as big as your head!) into bite sized chunks for a simple salad. We like them tossed w/ fresh spinach and a light raspberry vinaigrette. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ovy3M3kKraXea1A_H0kdbfv-Z4Ttmk0hy2Ae4TI0k7C66Di26Yy54bI7DkiC9of48VeYw1NiSbRuzpYUPTGiyKpNpKTgizicgYUVXh2KACr49G2VgoZdoOVbA5M9mIQ_v6qU_spoz9I/s1600-h/DSCN3660.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ovy3M3kKraXea1A_H0kdbfv-Z4Ttmk0hy2Ae4TI0k7C66Di26Yy54bI7DkiC9of48VeYw1NiSbRuzpYUPTGiyKpNpKTgizicgYUVXh2KACr49G2VgoZdoOVbA5M9mIQ_v6qU_spoz9I/s200/DSCN3660.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333042896006323650" /></a>When everything is finished bowl it up! The dumplings are super filling (unless, of course, you happen to be a rapidly growing seven year old). While they were cooking they should have considerably thickened the soup into a rich stew. Make sure to scoop plenty of broth onto the dumplings. If you are feeding a larger family you can start a new batch after you have dished up the first. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwQSjWAi-D5BE-7HIqgeEN3CLDhWZDcOKWsgd7g2vvuLH4TBGxpe1tPg_Od3JsdGWZxP72GqIT4TWbhPQ9eAWdo5lxbKYwXfF3xCffzjM7hQ10iJkkztb1bR-BGEVyVJAScbp9GlZJnc/s1600-h/DSCN3661.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwQSjWAi-D5BE-7HIqgeEN3CLDhWZDcOKWsgd7g2vvuLH4TBGxpe1tPg_Od3JsdGWZxP72GqIT4TWbhPQ9eAWdo5lxbKYwXfF3xCffzjM7hQ10iJkkztb1bR-BGEVyVJAScbp9GlZJnc/s200/DSCN3661.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333044352460282354" /></a>You may need to add water/broth to the pot and bring back to a boil in order to make another batch...but it takes very little time to get it boiling again. If you want to start another batch b/f serving just scoop the dumplings onto a plate and set aside to keep warm.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy!</div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242069113776511650.post-86302730625695511482009-05-07T10:00:00.007+09:002009-05-07T10:23:18.076+09:00As a matter of fact......daikon radish makes an excellent addition to homemade chicken soup.<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MVwpkrATHBD29ioHELZiDyXnovgta-umA-hnkxCi9BokoI7wdPGtUWUwxErYNyr0ab2l6LAOD254wTVv4T7HwhCcZUKmjRHtIThWf6-QSCcYB7YOw14e6N403qXqbhCvNXLCN2yNHBk/s1600-h/DSCN3650.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MVwpkrATHBD29ioHELZiDyXnovgta-umA-hnkxCi9BokoI7wdPGtUWUwxErYNyr0ab2l6LAOD254wTVv4T7HwhCcZUKmjRHtIThWf6-QSCcYB7YOw14e6N403qXqbhCvNXLCN2yNHBk/s320/DSCN3650.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332884430690244114" /></a><br /></div><div>I had a very sour tummy the other day, so we made some homemade soup, so I could bask in the glory of hot broth and crackers. YUM!<br /><div><br /></div><div>You can start off w/ a big kettle of water and simmer various vegetables for hours to get rich veggie stock and make it a yummy vegetable and rice soup. Just leave out the chicken-y stuff and add MOAR VEGGIES! I tend to use large chunks of onion, carrot, daikon radish (instead of celery, which I loathe), whole cloves of garlic, and large chunks of ginger. I use large chunks so they can be removed from the broth later. Mushrooms are great to add as well...but they are expensive here. Also, if you use mushrooms often, save the stems, especially from portobello caps, and freeze them. They make great stock.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't have the time on hand to make homemade stock, you can use broth. I love Better than Bouillon. I am not sure how much water we started w/, and we made two pots at once, but we added a little less than two spoonfuls of BtB to each pot.</div><div><br /></div><div>To that was added, pretty much whatever salvageable produce we had handy. This time we had baby potatoes (halved if too big to be bite sized, but mostly left intact), chopped carrot, and a nice large chunk of cubed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daikon">daikon radish</a> (I don't know if you can get this in normal grocery stores, I know Asian markets have them, and they are staples in Korea). The radish gets nice and soft like potatoes or rutabagas and is so very mild in flavor (probably why it is popular for making gimchi). All of this added to the pot to boil. Once the pot was simmering away for about 30 minutes or so, we dropped one frozen chicken breast into each pot, which didn't sound like much, but was about perfect (also, we forgot to thaw the chicken ahead of time...but this turned out to be a great mistake to make!). This we turned on low, and let simmer for over an hour. All the flavors melded together beautifully, and the chicken shredded into the softest meat ever. The weaker broth we made was now rich w/ flavor.</div><div><br /></div><div>A small cooker of rice gave a little more to the soup, and before serving just add a scoop of rice to the bowl. Very very filling in small amounts.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pAYhyphenhyphen6pl_tsjDhG1OZiEtnhsNU7PlPeQIxurEao2sb1AUdO1Kj7nFeyIuKNuaESzVuONNAr9CXFEk1H8RMDJdDQr89iMEmLTp_QyOwdRUySone2eDEo88Gav3G8Mzu7-4rAz0ZxSHfE/s1600-h/DSCN3651.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pAYhyphenhyphen6pl_tsjDhG1OZiEtnhsNU7PlPeQIxurEao2sb1AUdO1Kj7nFeyIuKNuaESzVuONNAr9CXFEk1H8RMDJdDQr89iMEmLTp_QyOwdRUySone2eDEo88Gav3G8Mzu7-4rAz0ZxSHfE/s320/DSCN3651.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332885175731571970" /></a></div><div>It has lasted us three days, and last night before putting it away we added another breast to the pot and let it re-simmer for the evening after dinner. Tonight I am going to make simple dumplings to steam on top for Chicken and Dumplings (just like Mom used to make!). So. Very. Tasty. This has also proven to be a very economical dish.</div><div><br /></div><div>It has received high approval ratings!</div><div><br /></div></div>Ouyang Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02282893846892373915noreply@blogger.com0